Michael English, a 33-year-old man, has been sentenced to eight years and three months in prison for the criminally negligent homicide of 44-year-old Angel Geib, who was killed during an incident involving a firearm cleaning.
English pleaded guilty to the charge following the tragic death of Geib, who was fatally shot in an apartment where English was cleaning his handgun.
During court proceedings, Maureen Jones, Geib’s 70-year-old mother, expressed her belief that the plea deal was the best option to honor her daughter’s legacy.
She addressed English directly, urging him to reflect on his actions, learn from his mistakes, and strive to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
“I truly believe that this would have been what Angel would have wanted,” she stated, encouraging English to help others facing similar struggles.
English, who described Geib as “one of my closest friends,” tearfully apologized to her family during the sentencing.
“There’s nothing that I could absolutely say that would fix anything but anything that I can do to help her family grieve or heal, I am open ears,” he added.
The Multnomah County Circuit Judge Benjamin Souede remarked on the tragedy of the case, noting the profound sorrow that enveloped the proceedings.
He referred to the situation as a “tragic” event, emphasizing the widespread impact of the loss felt by both Geib’s loved ones and English himself.
The fatal incident occurred on November 9, 2024, when police received a call around 2 a.m. regarding a shooting at an apartment on Northeast 146th Avenue, a place where English occasionally resided.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Geib deceased at the scene.
According to court documents, English reported that while cleaning his Smith and Wesson 9 mm semi-automatic handgun in the bathroom, the firearm accidentally discharged, striking both his hand and Geib, resulting in her death.
In a 911 call, English described the event as an “accident with a firearm,” revealing the gravity of the situation.
“It went off, um,” he stated, providing a chilling account of the incident, “She got hit in the head. She’s dead. I got shot in the hand, um. Yeah. That’s what it is dude.”
Following the incident, English briefly fled but was later apprehended by officers and treated for the self-inflicted gunshot wound at OHSU.
During the police response, drug paraphernalia was found in the apartment bathroom, raising additional concerns surrounding the circumstances of the shooting.
Geib’s brother, Bill Geib, also addressed the court, expressing the pain and loss felt by the family.
He stated that no sentence would adequately reflect the grief caused by the loss of his sister, highlighting the emotional void her absence has created in their lives.
English’s original charges included first-degree manslaughter and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
His previous criminal record includes a conviction for second-degree attempted robbery in 2010.
After serving time in Multnomah County Jail, English is scheduled to be transferred to prison on August 8.
image source from：oregonlive
