Suspect Arrested In Connection With May 2025 Shooting -07/07/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: July 7, 2025

CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

Suspect arrested in connection with May 2025 shooting

Salem, Ore. — After an extensive investigation stemming from a shooting incident in May 2025, Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit Detectives with the assistance of the Salem Police S.W.A.T. team, served a search warrant in the 300 block of Cornwell St in Woodburn, Oregon this morning, July 7.  During the warrant service they arrested Jovani Bravo, 24, at his residence for his involvement in the case.

The related incident occurred on May 17, 2025, at approximately 1:15 a.m., when officers were dispatched to the call of a gunshot wound that had occurred in the 1200 block of State St. The original disturbance started at a bar in the downtown Salem area. Persons involved in the disturbance left in two separate vehicles and eventually traveled east on State St. Bravo, who was a passenger in one of the vehicles, shot several rounds at the other vehicle striking a 24-year-old female victim in the leg. The victim was treated and released at a local area hospital.

Bravo was lodged at the Marion County Correctional Facility on multiple charges related to this case and will be arraigned today at 2:30pm at the Marion County Court Annex 4000 Aumsville Hwy SE.

All further inquiries into this investigation should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

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One Pedestrian Struck, Killed In Northeast Salem -07/02/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: July 2, 2025

CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

One pedestrian stuck, killed in northeast Salem

Salem, Ore. — Salem police responded to the intersection of Pine St NE and Brooks Av NE at approximately 7:26 a.m. today, on the call of a single vehicle collision involving a pedestrian.

A Dodge Ram pickup, driven by Patrick Neufeld, 38, of Salem, was headed eastbound on Pine St NE when it collided with a pedestrian, Nina Elsom, 71, of Salem, who was attempting to cross the street. Despite live saving measures being attempted, Elsom was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Neufeld remained at the location and cooperated with investigators. Pine St NE was closed between Portland Rd NE and Cherry Ave NE for approximately two and a half hours, while officers conducted the investigation.

No arrests have been made or citations issued. The collision investigation is ongoing and as such, no other details are available for release.

The incident is Salem’s fifth fatal traffic collision this year, resulting in five fatalities.

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Three Arrested After Shots Fired In South Salem (Photo) -07/01/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: July 1, 2025

CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

Three arrested after shots fired in South Salem

Salem, Ore. — Salem Police arrested two adults and one juvenile on the evening of June 30 related to a disturbance ending in shots being fired in the parking lot of McDonald’s 5090 Commercial St SE.

At approximately 10:24 p.m. officers were dispatched to the call of a disturbance. As officers were arriving, vehicles connected to the incident were attempting to flee the scene. Officers stopped one vehicle, contacted three occupants, and ultimately seized a 9mm handgun. Multiple spent shell casings located at the scene were collected as evidence.

Arrested were Rubi Zambrano, 20, Dakoda Clark-Adkins, 18, and a 15-year-old male, all from Salem, on various charges related to the incident. Zambrano and Clark-Adkins were lodged at the Marion County Correctional Facility and will be arraigned today at 2:30pm at the Marion County Court Annex 4000 Aumsville Hwy SE. The juvenile was released to a parent.

While no injuries to persons or significant damage to property was immediately reported, people in the area may have witnessed the incident or have damage to property. Anyone with information is asked to call 503-588-6123 option 1 to make a report.

All further inquiries into this investigation should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

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Retail Theft Project Results In Multiple Arrests (Photo) -06/27/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: June 27, 2025

CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

Retail theft project results in multiple arrests

Salem, Ore. — Multiple people were arrested yesterday, June 26, during a focused enforcement project at the Willamette Town Center in Salem. Thanks to a grant from the Oregon Department of Justice, this marks the second time detectives from the Salem Police Felony Crimes Unit worked to deter organized retail theft under the grant. The funding covers the overtime costs associated with completing these crime-fighting projects, which are in addition to the team’s normal investigative workload.

The enforcement operation was in collaboration with loss prevention staff from multiple stores located at the Willamette Town Center. During the operation, officers arrested 11 people for varying degrees of theft. Several of those arrested also had existing felony warrants for prior crimes.

Arrested were,

Honee Casterson, 44, Salem
Forrest Dalton, 29, Salem
Sara Dove, 42, Salem
Melissa Holland, 30, Salem
Ashley Hooper, 26, Salem
Juan Irrazary-Rivera, 50, Salem
Stephanie Maestas-Early, 31, Salem
Hilary Mora, 38, Salem
Mikaila Oneill, 30, Salem
Mogan Ryan, 27, Salem
James Wiese, 36, Salem

The previous project, in March 2025, resulted in the arrest of four men and two women, ranging in age from 25 to 46. They were also charged with various degrees of theft.

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Detectives Search For Suspect In Two Sexual Assaults -06/20/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: June 20, 2025

UPDATE: Detectives search for suspect in two sexual assaults

Salem, Ore. — The diligent work of the Salem Police Special Victims Unit Detectives has led to an arrest in both sexual assault cases.  In the early morning hours of June 20, 2025, detectives served a search warrant in the 5200 block of Salal St SE in Salem. Upon service of the warrant related to these cases detectives arrested Jonathan Muhire, age 19 of Salem, without incident. 

Since the reporting of the crimes earlier this week, detectives have been working rotating shifts on an around the clock detail to follow up on leads and conduct surveillance. This relentless work led detectives to be able to quickly apprehend Muhire.

Muhire was lodged at the Marion County Jail on the charges relating to both cases of Sex Abuse 1, Unlawful Sexual Penetration 1, Kidnap 1, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menace, Strangulation and Assault IV.

Muhire is scheduled to be arraigned at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex at 2:30 p.m. Monday June 20, 2025. All further media inquiries into the case must be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

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June 17, 2025

Salem, Ore. — Salem Police Special Victims Unit detectives are looking for a suspect wanted in two sexual assaults that occurred in the last two days in southeast Salem.

The first incident occurred on Sunday, June 15, at about 4:30 p.m. in the area of Commercial ST and Barnes AV SE. A woman reported walking in the area when the suspect approached, and he assaulted her. The victim was able to escape, and the suspect fled.

A general description of the suspect is as follows: a Black male adult with dark hair, a thin to medium build, between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall, and approximately 20 to 30 years of age.

Detectives believe the same suspect was involved in another assault in the same area the next day, June 16. On Monday, shortly after 4:00 a.m., a teenager was walking and approached and assaulted by a similarly-described man. A passerby intervened and confronted the suspect, who then ran away.

In each incident, an immediate and extensive search for the suspect was conducted, but he was not located.

Detectives are following up on all available leads. Anyone with information about the cases is asked to call the Salem Police tip line at 503-588-8477.

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Shooting In West Salem Leaves One Injured, Suspect In Custody -06/18/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: June 18, 2025

Shooting in west Salem leaves one injured, suspect in custody

Salem, Ore. — At approximately 5:45 p.m. this evening, Salem Police officers responded to the 1200 block of Orchard Heights RD NW after receiving multiple reports of gunfire.

Witnesses reported seeing a disturbance involving a group of teenagers on the south side of the road when the shots erupted. A male suspect was then seen running from the area.

Arriving officers found a 21-year-old male victim with multiple gunshot wounds. They provided immediate medical aid to the victim before paramedics arrived. The victim was transported to Salem Health in serious condition.

A search for the suspect was carried out with a canine team and a drone. The 16-year-old suspect was located in the 1000 block of Cascade DR NW and taken into custody without incident.

The teenager was transported to the Yamhill Juvenile Detention Center and faces related charges in a Polk County court.

While the scene was investigated, Orchard Heights RD NW was closed between Chapman Hill RD and the entrance to Orchard Heights Park for approximately three hours.

The incident remains an active investigation; therefore, all media inquiries must be directed to the Polk County District Attorney’s Office.

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