Bend community dedicates memorial honoring Barry Washington Jr.
Tracee Tuesday
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Nearly four years after the death of Barry Washington Jr., dozens gathered in downtown Bend this weekend to celebrate his life and unveil a permanent memorial in his honor. The crowd filled the corner of Northwest Wall Street and Oregon Avenue—the same place where Washington was tragically killed in 2021—to dedicate a new bronze plaque marking his memory.
Family members, friends, and community leaders spoke at the ceremony, including Washington’s mother, LaWanda Roberson, and Redmond City Councilor Clifford Evelyn. Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler reflected on how the community united following the tragedy, saying that the memorial symbolizes not only remembrance but resilience. “As someone who has been a prosecutor and a victims’ rights attorney, I’ve seen how gun violence shatters lives,” Kebler said. “I’m proud of our community and how we have followed through—today is a momentous occasion, and we will continue to remember Barry”.
The 2.5-foot bronze plaque, created by Noble Bronze, features Washington’s image along with a Bible verse and a personal quote. It stands on the sidewalk at the corner where his life was taken. The project was entirely funded by community donations through the grassroots group Central Oregon Earthseeds, without taxpayer money, and was approved under the City of Bend’s “Memorials and Monuments in Public Rights of Way” program.
Washington, who had recently moved to Bend from the Bay Area, was 22 when he was shot outside a nightclub in September 2021. The encounter began after he complimented a woman and escalated into a confrontation with her fiancé, Ian Cranston.
In 2022, a jury convicted Cranston of first-degree manslaughter and unlawful use of a weapon, sentencing him to ten years in prison.
For many in Bend, the memorial represents more than remembrance—it is a call for unity and compassion.
Saturday’s dedication, marked by emotion and solidarity, reinforced a collective commitment to healing. For Bend residents, the monument now stands as a lasting testament to Barry Washington Jr.’s life—and to the community’s continuing pursuit of justice and togetherness.