Police Investigating Two Separate Overnight Fatal Shootings — UPDATE
- 11/20/25
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: November 20, 2025
Salem Police, Partners Secure Arraignment in Wallace Marine Park Homicide
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Polk County District Attorney’s Office, Oregon State Police, and Salem Police Department, a Salem man was arraigned in the August 27 fatal shooting at Wallace Marine Park.
In the early morning hours of August 27, 2025, officers responded to a report of gunfire near the gravel pit area of Wallace Marine Park. Jacob Collazo, 60, of Salem, was found with multiple gunshot wounds and later died at the hospital.
Joseph Wirkkala, 37, of Salem, who was on transitional leave from prison and had an active warrant, was identified as the suspect shortly after the incident. With the assistance of the Salem Police SWAT Team, he was located and taken into custody later that same day. The investigation revealed the shooting followed a domestic violence incident involving Wirkkala and another person living in Wallace Marine Park.
On Thursday, November 20, Wirkkala was arraigned for the crimes of murder, attempted murder, assault, attempted assault, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing, reckless endangering, and felon in possession of a weapon.
The case presented unique challenges as several witnesses were frequently unsheltered, which made locating them for interviews difficult throughout the investigation. The Salem Police Homeless Services Team played a critical role in locating witnesses for Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit Detectives during interview coordination and later connecting with those witnesses for grand jury testimony. The Oregon State Police Crime Lab assisted the Salem Police Crime Lab with crime scene processing. Additionally, the Salem Police Bomb Squad used specialized tools to locate critical evidence related to the shooting during the investigation.
Update | 08/27/2025 | 5:00 p.m.
Victims identified
Notifications to the families of the victims in today’s two homicide cases are now complete, allowing for the release of their names.
The victim in the first incident is identified as Nicholas Micheal MacFawn, age 30, of Salem.
The victim in the second incident is identified as Jacob Collazo, age 60. Collazo was known to live in a campsite at Wallace Marine Park.
Both investigations are ongoing, and no other information is available at this time.
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Originally published 08/27/2025 | 6:45 a.m.
Police investigating two separate overnight fatal shootings
Salem, Ore. — Salem Police officers and detectives are investigating two separate homicide cases related to shooting incidents that occurred overnight.
1600 block 40th PL SE
At about 12:30 a.m. this morning, officers were dispatched to the scene of a collision in the area of 40th PL and Carson DR SE. A caller reported a crash and finding a person in the roadway. Arriving officers located an adult male with multiple gunshot wounds. The 30-year-old man was transported to Salem Health where he was later pronounced deceased.
Carson DR is closed between 40th PL and Coolidge DR SE and will remain closed for the next several hours for this active investigation.
Wallace Marine Park
Approximately one hour later, at 1:30 a.m., several callers reported gunfire at a homeless campsite in Wallace Marine Park. Officers responded to a wooded area in the northern portion of the park and located a man with multiple gunshot wounds. Due to the rugged terrain, officers carried the man out to awaiting paramedics who rendered aid. The victim, age 60, was transported to Salem Health where he later died from his injuries.
In both incidents, the victim’s name is being withheld pending notification to their family.
The Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit is leading these active investigations. Due to limited resources, the Oregon State Police Major Crimes Section is assisting with the homicide investigation at Wallace Marine Park.
In each case, detectives believe the incidents are isolated and unrelated. No further details are being released at present.
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