UPDATE July 21, 2021
An arrest has been made in the double homicide at Capital Cantina in northeast Salem on July 10, 2021.
The investigation led Salem Police detectives to believe the suspect in the case, Nivardo Ramirez Monge, age 21, was in the state of Nevada.
With assistance from the Las Vegas Criminal Apprehension Team and other law enforcement agencies in Nye County, Ramirez Monge was apprehended Monday evening, July 19, 2021 in Tonopah, Nevada.
Salem Police detectives have initiated the intra-agency process to return Ramirez Monge to Oregon for arraignment and prosecution.
From this point, all further details on the case will be released by the Office of the Marion County District Attorney.
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UPDATE July 13, 2021
The homicide victims in the July 10, 2021 shooting incident are identified as Jose Pablo Arrevalo, age 27 of Salem, and Erlin Adonay Rivas-Lopez, age 29 of Salem.
No further case information is available at this time.
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Original press release published July 10, 2021
Salem, Ore. — On July 10, 2021 at approximately 1:30 a.m., Salem Police officers responded to Capital Cantina, 1486 Hawthorne AV NE, on reports of a shooting.
When officers arrived, people were fleeing the location. Officers went directly into the location, made sure there was no longer a threat and located two victims. One victim was pronounced deceased at the scene and the other was transported to Salem Health where they died of their wounds.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information will be released at this time.
Anyone with information regarding the incident are asked to call the Salem Police Tips hotline at 503-588-8477.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: July 17, 2020
Salem, Ore. — Five fires were reported during the early morning hours of July 16, 2021. The fires were reported in the area bordered by Market ST, Fisher RD, Silverton RD and Lancaster DR NE.
Just before 2:00 a.m., the dispatch center received a report of a car fire in the 3200 block of Lancaster DR NE. Approximately 20 minutes later, a shopping cart filled with contents was set on fire in the 3600 block of Devonshire AV NE. At about the same time, a dumpster fire was reported in the 3300 block of Lancaster DR NE. Then, at 4:20 a.m., an officer on patrol noticed smoke from behind a building in the 1800 block of Lancaster DR NE and located a fourth active blaze. Within a half hour, a fifth fire was reported at a residence in the 2300 block of Fisher RD NE.
Due to the suspicious nature of the fires, detectives are leading the investigations.
Anyone in the vicinity of these incidents who witnessed suspicious activity during the timeframe is asked to call the Salem Police Tips Line at 503-588-8477. We are also asking anyone in the area with video surveillance systems to review their recordings just before and after the time periods for potential evidence, and report any findings, as well.
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Salem, Ore. — The Salem Police Department has officially added a new member to the police force, K-9 Shelby. She is unlike any other police service dog the department has ever had—given her floppy ears and propensity to drool.
Shelby is a one-year-old bloodhound and the department’s new trailing service dog. The idea for the addition of a hound came as the department faced the retirement of the most experienced dog in the unit, K-9 Es. “The chance to add a canine to help in the search for a lost child or elderly person was something we considered seriously,” said Patrol Division Lieutenant Brandon Ditto. “A hound’s scent receptors far surpass the abilities of a German Shepherd or a Belgian Malinois, breeds trained to search and apprehend suspects in heightened criminal situations,” explained Ditto who oversees the agency’s police service dog program with Sergeant Matt Gill.
In January, a child went missing in southeast Salem. Officers and several K-9 teams were unable to locate the child. As the hours passed and the temperatures began to dip, a search and rescue team with a bloodhound offered their assistance. Within a short time, the team’s dog found the child. The experience resonated with the unit’s handlers, and the search was on to determine the necessary elements to implement Oregon’s first law enforcement trailing service dog program. Sergeant Gill made connections with a bloodhound trainer in South Carolina, and a plan was developed for the future of the program.
When the Salem Police Foundation learned of the opportunity to enhance the K-9 program and the benefit to the community, the organization moved quickly to assist. All the necessary funding for the purchase of the dog and the costs involved in training the officer was provided by the foundation. The organization has generously donated the cost and training for each of the six current dogs in the Salem Police K-9 Program, absorbing the expenses which would have to be allocated through the department’s budget.
Currently, Shelby and her partner, Officer Zackary Merritt, are training with an experienced handler to further develop their skills and techniques. The duo will handle calls for service involving a lost child, or a missing individual with medical circumstances which may affect their memory or ability to communicate. Over time, however, the hound will also be trained to work alongside her five other patrol counterparts on broader police operations.
Some residents may have already seen Shelby as she and Officer Merritt have recently been at community events. “Shelby is very friendly. She is out getting to know her new home and meeting people,” added Ditto. “She’s developing a real scents of community.”
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Correction:
Robert Gerald Gonzalez was mistakenly listed as arrested in the original press release. He was not arrested.
Shawn Christopher Alyn Davidson, age 30 of Salem, was arrested for the crime of disorderly conduct in the second degree.
We regret the error in the release.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Salem, Ore. — Just before 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, between 50 and 70 people were in attendance for the protest billed as The Church at Planned Parenthood at 3825 Wolverine ST NE. Within the large group were approximately 20 individuals dressed in Proud Boys attire, apparently acting as security. Some of these individuals carried visible sidearms, paintball guns, bats and body armor.
At approximately 6:20 p.m., a group of about 40 counter-protestors arrived on foot carrying bats, paintball guns and armor.
Although these protests occur with some regularity, recently confrontations have escalated and a small group of crowd management-trained officers, known as the Mobile Response Team (MRT), actively monitored the situation.
An initial scuffle between opposing groups occurred early on, yet MRT officers were able to intervene to separate those involved. As the team became outnumbered, an emergency request for additional law enforcement resources was issued. Other Salem Police patrol officers and Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies quickly responded.
Minutes later, the two groups began to converge with the MRT officers placing themselves in the middle in an attempt to keep the groups separate. Individuals from each side refused to obey officer orders and continued to clash. Both groups sprayed chemical irritants at each other and the officers. To stop the continued physical assaults, MRT officers used two crowd control munitions along with a loud distraction device. No chemical agents were deployed by officers.
Tuesday evening’s actions resulted in the following arrests:
Shawn Christopher Alyn Davidson, age 30 – Disorderly conduct in the second degree
Ricky Dale Clark, age 64 – Assault in the third degree, riot, disorderly conduct in the second degree and resisting arrest
Often during these dynamic situations, it is impractical to effect arrests at the time. As such, additional follow up investigations will be conducted.
Due to significant incidents in other parts of the city, including motor-vehicle crashes, a stabbing, menacing and fights with weapons, the Salem Police Department required the assistance from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Keizer Police Department to assist with priority calls.
Our approach to protests and rallies has remained consistent. Regardless of anyone’s political affiliation or ideology, we make enforcement decisions based upon the neutral interests of public safety. Our priorities are to:
• Prevent or intervene in acts of violence and property damage.
• Keep opposing groups from converging to minimize risk of violence and best ensure community safety.
• Take proper enforcement action to address minor offenses when reasonable and appropriate.
• Ensure follow-up investigation to criminal behavior that was not immediately addressed.
For commonly asked questions about protests and assemblies in Salem, go to https://bit.ly/protests-faqs. To learn more about the Salem Police Department priorities for demonstrations, rallies and protests, go to https://bit.ly/spd-priorities-for-protests-rallies.
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Salem, Ore. — On July 9, 2021 at approximately 11:20 p.m. the Salem Police Department responded to a domestic violence call involving a suspect reportedly armed with a knife in the 3700 block of June Av NE. During the investigation the responding officer shot the suspect.
The officer was not injured during the incident.
Arriving officers attempted lifesaving measures, but ultimately the suspect died at the scene.
Per standard Senate Bill 111 protocols for the use of deadly physical force, the Marion County District Attorney’s Office has selected the Oregon State Police to lead the investigation.
Any further information will be released by the Oregon State Police or the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
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FOR IMMDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Thursday, July 8, 2021
UPDATE July 8, 2021
Salem, Ore. — Salem Police detectives have identified Antonio Julian Soto as the suspect in the shooting death of Davontae Deshawn Smith at the Capital Inn on June 8, 2021.
Soto fled the scene after the shooting. A warrant for the charge of murder has been issued, and detectives ask for the public’s help in locating him.
Soto is a Hispanic male, 32 years of age. His physical description is as follows:
- 6-feet in height
- Black hair
- Hazel eyes and is known to wear glasses as shown in the images
- 245 pounds in weight
There is a possibility the suspect is in the state of Washington. The gun used in the shooting has not been recovered. Soto should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information on Soto’s whereabouts should contact their local police department or call the Salem Police Tips Line at 503-588-8477.
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Update June 11, 2021
Detectives have identified the victim in the homicide from June 8, 2021 as Davontae Deshawn Smith, age 21, of Portland. His next of kin have been notified.
Detectives are still investigating the incident and continue to ask the public for information regarding the incident.
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Original press release issued June 8, 2021
Salem, Ore. — Patrol officers responded to a call of shots fired at the Capital Inn on Fisher Road NE at 3:30 a.m. this morning, Tuesday, June 8, 2021.
Arriving officers found one person deceased. Detectives are on scene conducting the investigation. No further details are available for release at this time.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Salem Police Tips Line at 503-588-8477.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Saturday, July 3, 2021
Salem, Ore. — Just before 5 p.m. on July 2, 2021, a parking enforcement officer reported a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian at the intersection of High and Center STS NE.
The pedestrian was identified as Marlene Moreno, age 73 of Salem, was in the marked crosswalk traversing northbound across Center ST when she was struck by a van. Moreno sustained critical injuries and was transported to Salem Health where she later died.
The driver of the van, Paul Brogden III, age 44 of California, was making an eastbound turn from High ST onto Center ST. Brogden remained on the scene and cooperated with officers conducting the initial investigation.
The Salem Police Traffic Team is completing the crash investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident can contact the team at 503-588-6293.
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Salem, Ore. — On July 1, 2021, at approximately 7:30 p.m. a Salem Police detective was involved in a shooting in the 5000 block of Salem-Dallas Hw. The involved officer was not injured. Officers are currently searching for a suspect in the area of Oak Knoll RD NW and Salem-Dallas HW.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are on scene to assist in the search. Currently police vehicles on Salem Dallas HW are causing some congestion, please use caution while travelling through the area.
Per standard Senate Bill 111 protocols for the use of deadly physical force, the Polk County District Attorney’s Office has selected the Oregon State Police to lead the officer involved shooting investigation.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Thursday, July 01, 2021
Salem, Ore. — A woman riding her bicycle through Minto-Brown Island Park Tuesday morning, June 29, 2021, was followed by a male suspect also on a bicycle.
As the woman was riding the trails near the river, she passed a man on a bike who was stopped. She noticed he had a pair of pruning shears in his hand. The woman continued her ride, but then noticed the suspect had started to chase her. At one point the suspect rammed her bicycle with his.
The woman yelled and scanned for people as she sped forward. She continued to ride toward the bicycle and pedestrian bridge at Riverfront Park where she could see people. It was at that point that the suspect stopped his pursuit and rode away.
The suspect is described as a tall, white male adult in his late 20s to early 30s with dark, disheveled hair and a thin build. The suspect wore cutoff jean shorts, but no shirt. The suspect rode a mountain bike with unusually large handlebar ends and no suspension. The victim was able to provide a map of the route thanks to a personal fitness device which she wore.
“We applaud the victim’s strength and determination to get away from the suspect,” said Lieutenant Treven Upkes of the Salem Police Department’s Community Response Section. Upkes supervises the team of officers who patrol the downtown area and parks. “The map provided by her device and her description of the suspect and his bicycle will greatly help officers patrolling the vicinity.”
Please remember to take precautions in public or on leisurely outings. For example, whenever possible, take a friend with you. Try to avoid wearing anything that will impede your vision or hearing, so that you remain alert and aware of your surroundings. Remember to let someone know your destination and expected return time. Always call 9-1-1 for emergencies or in-progress suspicious activity or crime.
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