By Gabriel Elmosleh
News Editor

Lee Mauras, a student and athlete at Clackamas Community College, was shot and killed in Portland’s Old Town on Oct. 6. He was just 23 years old.

Mauras, originally from Long Island, New York, was a dedicated wrestler. He competed throughout high school, becoming a three-time New York State medalist.

Although he didn’t compete in college nationals, Mauras competed at the Puerto Rico nationals and had the opportunity to wrestle for the Puerto Rican National team at the 2024 senior Greco-Roman Pan American championship in February 2024.

Lee Mauras from his time at Iowa Central

Brett Sanchez, the head wrestling coach at CCC, first met Mauras at the national duels in 2023.

“Lee was a very confident young man, had a lot of direction, a lot of desire, [and] dedication to the sport of wrestling,” said Sanchez.

During the national duels in 2023, Myles Norris, a CCC wrestler who was competing at the tournament, talked Mauras into applying for the Clackamas wrestling program.

Mauras had only arrived in Oregon on Aug. 1.

“Our guys really miss Lee’s body language, the way he carried himself, his interactions with everybody over here,” said Sanchez. “In the short time he really did create relationships and impacted other people.” 

“He spoke a lot about his goals out loud. He had it written down everywhere about being a national champion, being an Olympic champion, and then being a world champion, so a lot of guys on the team gravitated towards him and started having the same type of goals,” said Sanchez. “A lot of the guys on the team are pretty hurt knowing that they lost a friend and a brother.”

Lee Mauras trains at the gym.

Cesar Avalar, a roommate of Mauras, described him as “Extremely talented. Dedicated. He put in tons of work all the time. He was extremely hungry. He was a great friend. If you ever needed anything, he had you.”

Avalar said, “He loved his son more than anything. It was all he ever talked about. He had pictures of his son all over his wall.”

Lee Mauras and his son, Lee Jr.

Mauras met his girlfriend, Angela Ragione, when they were teenagers, in 2015. Five years later, during the pandemic, they reconnected, bonding over the fact that they were both experiencing hardships in life.

“One of my biggest issues is that when Lee was around and there was any sort of issue or problem, I never had to say anything, because he would always speak for me,” said Ragione. “He wouldn’t want me to be stressed out or anything.”

“He was perfect,” said Ragione. “Lee was Lee. I’ve never met anyone like Lee.”

On top of losing her boyfriend, Ragione said she is struggling with the idea of her son growing up not knowing his father.

“I don’t know what I’m gonna tell my son when he’s older,” said Ragione. “Lee really loves Lee Jr., and it not only sucks that Lee will never be able to play with Lee Jr., but Lee Jr. will never remember playing with his dad because he’s so young.”

Lee Jr. on Lee Mauras’ shoulders.

There is also an active Gofundme that was created following the death of Mauras, in part to pay for transportation of Mauras’ body on Oct. 15, as well as covering funeral costs and paying for Mauras’ brothers to fly home to attend the funeral.

Mauras was shot and killed in a parking lot near West Burnside and Southeast Third Avenue outside Dante’s, after his shift as a security guard ended. At the time of writing, the case is still ongoing, and anyone with any information is asked to contact Portland Police detective Shaye Samora at Shaye.Samora@police.portlandoregon.gov, or call 503-823-0768. You can also contact Detective Mike Schmerber at Michael.Schmerber@police.portlandoregon.gov, or call 503-823-0991 and reference case number 24-255846.