An Albany teenager has been sentenced to juvenile custody after admitting responsibility for the accidental shooting death of his friend during a failed gun deal in Portland.
Jimmi Lee Lawing, now 19, pleaded guilty earlier this year to first-degree manslaughter in the killing of SSkyler Stuckey, 21. In January, he was ordered to remain in the custody of the Oregon Youth Authority until he turns 25.
Although the case was initially filed in adult court, it was later transferred to juvenile court because Lawing was 17 at the time of the incident.
Judge Amy Holmes Hehn, who accepted the plea agreement, stated that Lawing’s actions involved dangerous decision-making that ultimately led to devastating consequences.
What Happened
Court records show that on New Year’s Eve 2023, Lawing and another friend asked Stuckey to drive them to a quiet area in northeast Portland for a planned $2,000 gun sale. The group arrived along Northeast Faloma Road in the East Columbia neighborhood around 8 p.m.
According to investigators, the prospective buyer requested to examine the firearms before suddenly opening fire. Lawing returned gunfire from the front passenger seat, but one of his shots struck Stuckey in the head.
Stuckey, who was expecting a child, died from his injuries before the birth of his daughter. Prosecutors noted that he was not involved in the gun transaction itself.
A second passenger, Taylor Nelson, was also shot in the head but survived. Authorities have not confirmed who fired the shot that injured him.
Aftermath and Arrest
Following the shooting, Nelson fled the vehicle and was later found injured nearby. Lawing ran from the scene, entered the Columbia River, and later contacted a family member for help. He did not call emergency services and was arrested only after turning 18.
The unidentified gun buyer fled and has not been located or publicly identified.
Court Reaction
During sentencing, Lawing expressed remorse to the victim’s family, including the mother of Stuckey’s child. However, relatives voiced frustration over the case being handled in juvenile court, where penalties are less severe than in adult proceedings.
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