PORTLAND, Ore. – A 38-year-old man pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of fatally shooting his girlfriend, 26-year-old Erika Caroline Walker Evans, in September 2022. The defendant, Jake Phillips, allegedly killed Evans using a gun he had stolen from another man he had assaulted and robbed on a MAX train in Beaverton three days earlier. Phillips, who has been in custody since October 2022 on robbery charges, will be extradited to Multnomah County. He had previously been convicted of abusing Evans in 2020 and was sentenced to probation.

According to court records, Phillips had a violent relationship with Evans that continued until her death on September 23, 2022, in Northwest Portland’s Wallace Park. Phillips was arrested in southern Oregon several weeks after Evans’ death, and police found him in possession of a stolen firearm that matched the bullet casings found at the crime scene.

Details about the murder case are limited, as the affidavit pertaining to the case has been sealed to protect the ongoing police investigation. However, it is known that Phillips and Evans started dating in February 2020 in Austin, Texas, and eventually ended up in Portland together.

In addition to the murder charges, Phillips is also facing multiple charges related to a separate robbery case. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon. Phillips has a criminal history with convictions in at least five states for offenses such as stalking, attempted domestic-violence assault, and driving under the influence.

Friends and family remember Evans as a loving, gentle, and creative person who enjoyed creating henna tattoos, writing poetry, and producing music. She was a graduate of the University of Texas and had published a book titled “Eat Like a Local – Austin.”

In conclusion, Jake Phillips has pleaded not guilty to the charges of shooting and killing his girlfriend, Erika Caroline Walker Evans, in Portland in 2022. Phillips is also facing charges related to a separate robbery case and has a history of criminal convictions in multiple states. Evans was described as a loving and creative individual who was passionate about art and writing.