Clackamas County Circuit Court delivered a guilty verdict Tuesday in a tragic case that shocked the Gladstone community. Ronald Joseph Kirk, 38, was found guilty of second‑degree murder and felon‑in‑possession of a firearm for the killing of his mother, Rosa Leyva, 61, inside her home on SE Carson Road.
Background and court testimony
According to prosecutors, Kirk and Leyva lived together in the modest residence when Leyva failed to show up for work on November 26, 2024. Concerned coworkers and family members called the police for a welfare check. When officers arrived, Kirk answered the door and told them his mother had been unconscious for about a day.
Inside, officers discovered Leyva’s body at the dining‑room table, covered with pillowcases and bearing a single gunshot wound to the head. The scene was described as “horrifying” by the responding detectives.
Family concerns and warning signs
Multiple witnesses who knew Leyva testified that Kirk was volatile, frequently intoxicated, and used methamphetamine. They described a pattern of dangerous behavior that escalated over months. A month before the homicide, Kirk left a voicemail for his mother claiming she was possessed by demons and that he had “almost” shot her the previous day.
Legal documents reveal that Leyva had planned to evict Kirk and had texted him on November 8, 2024, stating she wanted him out of the house. The eviction dispute appears to have been a catalyst for the fatal confrontation.
Legal outcome and sentencing
The jury’s verdict carries a potential life sentence with a mandatory minimum of 25 years behind bars. Kirk is scheduled to be sentenced on November 4, 2026. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which Clackamas County treats domestic‑violence‑related homicides and illegal firearm possession.
Community response
Local residents expressed sorrow and concern for the safety of families dealing with substance‑abuse and mental‑health challenges. Community leaders emphasized the need for stronger support networks and resources for families facing similar crises.
Law enforcement officials reiterated their commitment to investigating domestic incidents promptly and encouraging anyone who suspects abuse or danger to contact authorities immediately.
Original reporting: KPTV FOX 12 Portland (news) — read the source article.
