HILLSBORO, OR – A teenager was sentenced to life in prison this month after admitting to fatally shooting one youth and injuring another during a confrontation at a birthday party in Hillsboro last fall. Nineteen-year-old Derek Owen Cuellar-Torres entered guilty pleas to charges of second-degree murder with a firearm and attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.

Judge Ricardo Menchaca of Washington County Circuit Court delivered the sentence, which mandates that Cuellar-Torres spend at least 15 years behind bars before he becomes eligible for parole under Oregon’s juvenile justice guidelines. Despite the severity of the crimes, recent reforms dictate that those who commit such offenses as juveniles can seek release after serving a minimum portion of their term.

Authorities said the violence erupted late on Oct. 21, 2023, during a party at a private home. The celebration, held for a juvenile girl, took a deadly turn when a dispute broke out between the host’s brother and two teenagers in attendance. The host’s brother reportedly believed that the two teens were acting disrespectfully, leading him to summon several friends who were allegedly members of a local gang.

Cuellar-Torres and a group of associates responded to the call for backup. At least two—Cuellar-Torres among them—were armed. According to investigators, the group waited outside the house, concealed in the shadows, while some partygoers lured the two target teens out of the home.

When the victims stepped outside, gunfire erupted. Prosecutors said both Cuellar-Torres and another armed individual began shooting without warning, striking two teens. Seventeen-year-old Jesus Copado-Oropeza was fatally wounded, and a 16-year-old male suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.

Police recovered 22 shell casings from the scene, highlighting the intensity of the gunfire. The investigation revealed that the suspects, the victims, and the party host all attended the same high school, indicating that the relationships between those involved were longstanding.

Detectives said that Cuellar-Torres and the second shooter were quickly identified and taken into custody. Prosecutors reported that both suspects confessed to their roles in the attack. Evidence obtained during the investigation included text messages sent by Cuellar-Torres before the shooting, suggesting he was eager to commit a violent act before turning 18. He described in texts “losing time” and wanting to “catch a body” before reaching legal adulthood.

Further digital evidence showed Cuellar-Torres dismissed warnings from fellow gang members that committing murder could lead to adult charges, texting that he intended to blame substance use if arrested. In additional messages, he allegedly boasted about the homicide and stated ambitions of joining a cartel as an assassin.

Following his sentencing, Cuellar-Torres was transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections and will start his time at an Oregon Youth Authority facility. The investigation underscored the tragic consequences of escalating violence among teens and the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces addressing gang-related crimes involving juveniles.

According to the district attorney’s office, the case serves as an example of the intersection between youth violence and organized crime, as authorities continue efforts to curb similar incidents across the state.