Kamari Gates, 20, received the sentence after pleading guilty in July to first-degree manslaughter and attempted murder in connection with the September 2024 shooting that left 38-year-old LaToya Hill dead.
The shooting happened on Sept. 17, 2024, at a home in Portland. Hill and her fiancé, Danielle McGruder, 41, had just returned after dropping their daughters off at school.
Hill was outside near the home when Gates approached and shot her in the head, according to the case details. McGruder, who was inside at the time, heard the gunshot and went outside to find out what had happened. Gates then pointed the firearm toward her and opened fire.
McGruder survived and later spoke about the shooting during Gates’ sentencing hearing.
She told the court that Gates and his family had once been close with her and Hill. Gates had previously spent time at their home, played video games there and helped them put up a basketball hoop.
That relationship changed after a dispute involving Gates’ brother, who had stayed at Hill and McGruder’s home following a family conflict. The disagreement between the families continued and eventually escalated into the fatal shooting.
Following Hill’s death, Gates left the area and remained on the run for several days before turning himself in to police.
At his sentencing, the court imposed 10 years for the manslaughter conviction and another 10 years for attempted murder. The two sentences will be served consecutively, bringing the total prison term to 20 years.
Gates will also be placed on post-prison supervision for three years after completing his sentence.
The case brings a long-running neighborhood dispute to a close in court, but for Hill’s family, the consequences of the shooting extend far beyond the sentence handed down to Gates.
