PORTLAND, Ore. (KGW/KTVZ) – A former Bend resident and Portland State University football player who was arrested on murder charges two years ago in southern Deschutes County has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for shooting his girlfriend. He began serving his sentence. KGW reports that another PSU student was born in 2022.
Keenan Reece Harpole, now 22, pleaded guilty on April 15 to first-degree manslaughter with domestic violence and unlawful use of a weapon, according to Multnomah County court documents. Judge Christopher Marshall sentenced Harpole to 276 months in prison, although he could have his sentence reduced after the first 10 years.
At 1 a.m. on April 4, 2022, police say 19-year-old Amara Marouk was shot by then-20-year-old Harpole outside a dormitory near the intersection of Southwest College Street and Southwest 6th Avenue. announced. Officers arrived and found Maruluke dead.
The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office was notified later that morning of Harpole's location on family property along Homestead Way between Sunriver and La Pine. Doug Sullivan said at the time:
“Detectives contacted Harpole and he agreed to turn himself in,” Sullivan said. “He was taken into custody without incident.” Harpole was brought back to Portland and released to Portland Police Bureau homicide detectives.
The university confirmed that Harpole was a member of the PSU football team as a freshman, but is no longer on the team. Sullivan said Harpole is a 2020 graduate of Mountain View High School in Bend.
A subsequent autopsy confirmed that Mahlouk died from gunshot wounds and her death was ruled a homicide.
Harpole was Mahlouk's first boyfriend. Family members said they had seen some signs of domestic violence and said Mahlouk had given them several chances to reform. She never contacted authorities.
Mahlouk was known to the PSU community, friends, and family as a passionate artist and activist.
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt, who announced the resolution of the case Thursday, said Deputy District Attorney Devin Franklin represented the state in the case, which resulted in a plea agreement between the defendant and his attorney. Stated. Judge Christopher Marshall accepted the plea and sentenced Harpole on April 15.
- 240 months for one count of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm constituting domestic violence;
- One count of unlawful use of a weapon for 36 consecutive months – domestic violence.
In addition, Mr. Harpole will serve as a supervisor for two years after his incarceration. Schmidt also said his sentence in state prison has begun.
Prosecutors said they would like to thank the Portland Police Bureau officers and detectives who assisted in this case, as well as the victim advocates who assisted Mahlouk's family.
“We hope that the resolution of this case will allow Mr. Mahrouk's family and friends to move forward in their grieving process and find some peace,” he said.
