PORTLAND, Ore. – A critical error has resulted in a manhunt across Oregon for Ty Anthony Sage, a 26-year-old murder suspect who was mistakenly released from the Multnomah County Detention Center on Monday, September 22, 2025. The release occurred despite a judge’s explicit order to deny bail in the case, a situation officials are calling “unacceptable” and a “monumental mistake.”
Suspect Accused in 2021 Murder
Ty Anthony Sage is facing serious charges, including second-degree murder and first-degree robbery, in connection with the death of 15-year-old Lowgunn Ivey. The tragic incident took place on December 4, 2021, at the Columbia Trails apartment complex in Gresham, Oregon. According to court records, Sage and an alleged accomplice, 26-year-old Kevin Rivas-Ramirez, had planned to rob Ivey. During the confrontation, Ivey was shot and killed, and two other individuals, a 23-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy, sustained gunshot wounds but survived. Sage, who was arrested in May 2025 in Coos Bay, Oregon, on a Multnomah County warrant, admitted to detectives that the robbery was planned but stated, “it was never supposed to go down like that.”
The Bail Conflict and Mistaken Release
The sequence of events leading to Sage’s release has raised significant concerns. Court documents indicate that Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Bryan Francesconi signed an order on September 17, 2025, clearly stating “release is denied” for Sage. However, a subsequent release form, dated September 22, appeared to indicate a bail had been set at $5,000, allowing for his release from custody. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office has acknowledged that Sage should not have been able to post bail and has taken responsibility for the error.
Official Response and Public Safety Concerns
Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell addressed the incident during a press conference, stating, “This should not have happened.” She emphasized the agency’s commitment to public safety and called the error “unacceptable.” The Sheriff’s Office has launched a comprehensive review to understand precisely how the mistaken release occurred and to identify systemic improvements needed in communication with the courts and internal procedures. While the employees involved are understood to have acted in good faith based on the information available to them at the time, the Sheriff stressed that the priority now is the safe apprehension of Sage.
Manhunt Underway Across Oregon
Law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon are actively searching for Ty Anthony Sage. He is described as a white male, approximately 5-foot-10 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with blond hair, blue eyes, and multiple facial tattoos. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to call 9-1-1 immediately. The victim’s mother, Jodie Ramsey, has expressed her profound distress following Sage’s release, stating she is “on complete edge all the time now.” Sage’s alleged accomplice, Kevin Rivas-Ramirez, remains in custody.
This incident highlights critical issues within the justice system’s communication and release protocols. As the search continues, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is working to restore community trust by ensuring accountability and implementing corrective measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The news of this release has sent ripples of concern throughout Oregon, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance in public safety matters.
