An Oregon man has received an 18-year prison sentence for the fatal shooting of a Good Samaritan who tried to assist his girlfriend. The convicted individual, 25-year-old Arvoni Alexander Hayes, pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree manslaughter and unlawful use of a firearm. The decision was announced by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, and Hayes will also be subject to three years of post-prison supervision following his release.
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The incident occurred on July 14, 2024, when Aaron McInnis, a 30-year-old father and sales representative, was dropping off a friend near Normandale Park in Northeast Portland. During this time, another man approached McInnis, reporting that he had heard a woman crying inside a parked vehicle and asked for assistance in checking on her wellbeing.
Upon arrival, McInnis and the man discovered Hayes with the woman, who was his girlfriend. In a bizarre series of events, Hayes exited the car naked and initially agreed to allow the woman to leave with McInnis. However, as Hayes began to dress, he unexpectedly returned to the vehicle and commanded his girlfriend to drive away, prompting McInnis to chase after them.
According to prosecutors, Hayes exited the moving vehicle at a nearby intersection and fired three shots at McInnis, fatally wounding him. McInnis was rushed to Oregon Health and Science University, where he succumbed to his injuries.
However, accounts from court documents discussed by local media outlets KOIN and The Oregonian provided conflicting details about the events leading to the shooting. Reports suggested that McInnis was approaching the vehicle when Hayes fired upon him.
Hayes was apprehended in September 2024, almost two months after the shooting incident. He ultimately admitted guilt in the manslaughter charge, leading to his conviction and subsequent sentencing.
McInnis, a father deeply devoted to his young son, was remembered by family members as a compassionate individual who was quick to aid others in need. They described his love for ice hockey, music, and literature in victim-impact statements presented to the court. One relative articulated that McInnis’s decision to help the woman in distress epitomised his character, stating, “That day, he saw someone he believed might need help and asked if she was okay. That was Aaron.”
Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer honoured McInnis’s altruism, referring to him as “a hero to the very end.” He emphasised the tragedy of McInnis losing his life while trying to ensure the safety of a stranger, characterising Hayes’s actions as “cowardly”. In closing remarks, Palmer expressed that the court’s decision to imprison Hayes serves as a means to honour McInnis’s bravery.
As the community reflects on this tragic event, many are left to ponder the loss of a dedicated father and friend who stood up to help someone in need, ultimately paying the ultimate price for his kindness. While Hayes now faces a lengthy prison sentence, the aftermath of this incident will linger in the hearts of those who knew McInnis, who hoped to make a positive difference in the world around him.