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Portland police have arrested a third suspect in the 2022 killing of Shaani Mohamed, a Somali immigrant, Uber driver, and father of eight whose death deeply affected Portland’s Somali community. Police confirmed that 41-year-old Shaperryia L. Lambert was taken into custody in Northeast Portland and charged with second-degree murder. Investigators say she was involved in an attempted robbery that led to Mohamed being shot as the suspects fled. Lambert was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center, and authorities have notified Mohamed’s family of the new arrest.
Lambert is the third person charged in connection with the case. The two other suspects, 28-year-old Justin Ortega-Mejia and 41-year-old Kaesha Green, were arrested earlier this year and are facing the same murder charges. They are scheduled to go on trial in December.
Mohamed, who was 39 at the time of his death, was found inside his vehicle on March 27, 2022, near Northeast Milton Street and Northeast 82nd Avenue after police responded to reports of gunfire around 9:30 p.m. Officers attempted life-saving measures, but he did not survive. Detectives believe he had been working a late-night Uber shift when he was targeted during a robbery attempt. The area where he was found has experienced high levels of violence over the past few years, with multiple homicides and shootings reported since 2021.
Mohamed had lived in Portland for nearly twenty years after leaving Somalia due to conflict. Community members describe him as a calm, kind person who worked hard to support his large family. He loved soccer and had previously played for Walalo, the first Somali football club founded in Oregon. Friends say he was the type of person who avoided conflict and focused on providing for his children, several of whom were very young at the time of his death.
His passing left a significant emotional and financial impact on his family. He is survived by his wife and eight children, including two teens who have recently graduated high school and a toddler who was only an infant when the tragedy occurred. To help ease the financial strain, community members organized a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised more than $60,000 so far. Local Somali organizations and neighbors continue to assist the family with housing and daily needs, demonstrating the strong support network around them.
Leaders within Oregon’s Somali community say that while Lambert’s arrest brings some comfort, it does not erase the pain the family continues to face. Musse Olol, president of the Somali American Council of Oregon, said that many people are still grieving the loss of someone who was widely respected and loved. He expressed hope that the court process will provide clarity, accountability, and a sense of justice for Mohamed’s family and the community that has stood by them.
Police say the case remains open, and detectives are still gathering information. They encourage anyone who knows more about what happened to contact homicide investigators by emailing homicidetips@police.portlandoregon.gov or calling 503-823-0479 and referencing case number 22-8229.
Mohamed’s death continues to be felt across Portland’s Somali community, which has grown steadily over the past decade. For many, the case serves as a reminder of the challenges immigrant families often face while trying to build safe and stable lives in the United States. Community leaders say they remain committed to supporting Mohamed’s family and pushing for safer neighborhoods so that tragedies like this can be prevented in the future.