Suspect Arrested in California, Facing Attempted Murder Charges for December Shooting

On Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., Portland Police officers assigned to East Precinct responded to a report of a shooting in the 500 block of Southeast 60^th Avenue. Initially they did not find a victim but kept looking. At 5:30 p.m., they found an adult male with gunshot wounds in a parking lot at the rear of an apartment complex. Officers administered trauma first aid while summoning emergency medical services (EMS). The victim was transported to the hospital by ambulance with serious injuries. The injuries were treated and are not believed to be life-threatening.

View full size image of Black rifle, 2 handguns, holsters displayed on the hood of a white police vehicle

Guns were seized at the scene (photo).

The Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST) responded to investigate and several people were interviewed by police at the scene. Two of the people interviewed were Rem Heathen, 38, of Portland, and Jennifer M. Bitgood, 43, of Portland.

The ECST Detective conducted additional investigation and submitted the investigation to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, who sought Grand Jury indictments against Heathen and Bitgood. They were granted and arrest warrants were signed.

On Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 2:12 a.m., officers with the Mt. Shasta Police Department were dispatched to a gas station in the 200 block of West Lake Street in Mount Shasta, California, on a report of an unwanted person, later identified as Rem Heathen. The officer arrested Heathen on an arrest warrant for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon (2 counts), and Coercion. On January 9, Heathen was transferred to the Multnomah County Detention Center.

On Saturday, January 10, 2026, Bitgood was arrested and booked on a warrant for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Coercion. The arrest was previously included in this press release: PPB Monitors Protest Activity; Two Arrests Made | Portland.gov

The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are possible. If anyone has information about this shooting and has not already spoken to police, please e-mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov attn: ECST and reference case number 25-348901.

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