Portland Man Gets 18 Years for Killing Good Samaritan Who Tried to Help Woman in Distress

PORTLAND, Ore. — A 25-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the death of Aaron McInnis, who was gunned down while trying to help a woman in distress.

Arvoni Alexander Hayes pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and the unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm when he appeared in the Multnomah County Circuit Court for sentencing on Friday.

The case relates to an incident on July 14, 2024, when, after dropping off a friend at her home near Normandale Park in Northeast Portland, McInnis was approached by a man who asked for help checking on a woman crying in a car parked nearby.

He Was Naked When He Stepped Out of the Car

Hayes was in the car with his girlfriend and eventually agreed to leave her alone. He was naked when he stepped out of the vehicle.

As he stood dressing himself, Hayes suddenly darted back into the car and yelled at his girlfriend to drive them away.

McInnis ran after the vehicle and, at a nearby intersection, Hayes climbed out of the car and began shooting at him.

McInnis was struck three times and died at OHSU.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer, who prosecuted the case, described McInnis as ‘a hero to the very end.’