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May-26-2009 16:28printcomments

Three Reportedly Shot in Salem Park (VIDEO)

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 16 to 18 years of age, with short black close cut hair, wearing a light colored shirt, long blue shorts and carrying a black backpack.

Shooting investigation
Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police responded to a shooting today at Northgate Park, near the end of Fairhaven Ave. The report of the shooting came in just after 4:00 p.m.

The victims appear to be three minors. Unconfirmed reports at the scene indicate that one victim was shot in the arm, one was shot in the leg and one was reportedly shot in the head.

Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada, says one of the victims suffered life threatening gunshots wounds, and the other two were shot but did not have life-threatening injuries.

All three were transported from the scene to Salem Hospital.

"The three victims were sitting on a park bench in the southern portion of the park when they were approached by the suspect," Okada said.

"A short conversation ensued between the suspect and the victims, then the suspect suddenly pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots. There was no indication of an argument or fight prior to the shots being fired."

Okada says Salem officers arrived on scene within three minutes of being dispatched, "and immediately began rendering aid to the victims and checking the area for the suspect, but they were unable to locate him."

The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 16 to 18 years of age, with short black close cut hair, wearing a light colored shirt, long blue shorts and carrying a black backpack. Anybody with information about this incident is asked to call the Salem Police Department at 503-588-6123.

A neighbor who lives near the park's walking path says she heard about six shots. She went into her yard after the shooting, and "saw a man walking east on the walking path."

Immediately thereafter, she said she saw another man stagger into view, who went to a park bench.

About that time the woman heard sirens.

Another neighbor said, "I think I heard about eight shots"

She added, "We hear stuff banging and poppling all the time".

A third neighbor said it was a small caliber weapon. "It didn't sound like much so I didn't think much of it."




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Nani Ramirezz December 1, 2009 10:11 pm (Pacific time)

Damn Montez We Miss Youhh So Much N Love Youhh Youhh Will Always Be In Mah -->♥ R.i.P Montez Bailey May 27,2009


anonymous July 29, 2009 2:18 am (Pacific time)

youll always be alive in my hart tez, just rembering all the memories we had together,r.i.p montez lamur bailey.


Rich July 27, 2009 11:49 am (Pacific time)

Dang man still missin you...


anonymous May 29, 2009 10:40 am (Pacific time)

MONTEZ BAILEY. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS. YOU WILL BE MISSED SO MUCH.


Anonymous May 28, 2009 10:41 pm (Pacific time)

i just found out today. I worked with montez, the one who died. i still cant believe that he died. he was a really nice guy... prayers are needed for his family, the two that are injured, and pray for the suspect as well.


Owweee May 27, 2009 5:40 pm (Pacific time)

why did this happen..why..why..why..whyyyyyyyy


Anonymous May 27, 2009 12:10 pm (Pacific time)

I sure hope an AR-15 is not what he used. To be toting around an assault rifle in a park would be quite conspicuous, and you think someone would have called the cops if they saw a teenage boy packing that kind of heat around in a public place. To Jen : I believe that your question is certainly a possibility. The part regarding keeping quiet out of fear. I have been in a situation too where I had to release information describing criminals I witnessed in a crime. I at first did not think about it, because I wanted them caught and was going to do everything I could to help, but later I worried. I knew they knew where we lived and I knew they saw us. So if they got caught(which they did,) what if they decided to come for 'revenge' on me. So yes, it is definitely a possibility they are keeping quiet, especially because of the fact it is gang related. There will probably be some sort of quiet revenge that will stay off the media. The sad part is that they are so young and already corrupted. My condolences for the family members.

Editor: Again, the AR-15 reference was toward the police rifle.


Annoyomus May 27, 2009 9:52 am (Pacific time)

I just saw an update on KPTV.com and one of the 3 victims has died from his injuries. This is so sad, I just don't get why this had to happen, over what. Who ever did this has ruined a family!! All my blessing to the family of all of the victims. I wish you peace of mind.


Jen May 27, 2009 7:33 am (Pacific time)

What scares me is, one - so close to home - two, that someone can shoot three people in broad daylight in a public place and no one can even give a discription better then one that fits every teenage hispanic male in town. How can the public help with such a discription? (and question - Do the people who got shot have no idea who it was? Or are they keeping quiet out of retailation fear?)


Anonymous May 27, 2009 7:22 am (Pacific time)

It was gang related. One of the supects is family and he said the kid walked up and said, "Don't you fools know you're on the southside?" they laughed because they were in North Salem he then pulled out the gun and shot them. They didn't take him seriously because he looked to them to be 10-11 years old. I believe the description is off. But this was gang related. What idiots!


Sarah May 27, 2009 1:09 am (Pacific time)

Anonymous An AR-15 is an assault rifle. Maybe they were referring to what the suspect used.

Editor: Sarah, that is correct and it was literally an extra piece of audio that somehow made the final cut, so to speak.  As it turned out, I heard KGW actually open the piece with it.  The words came from our news photographer, Jerry Freeman, and he is identifying the police weapon being carried in that statement.  Thanks for you comment.


Sarah May 27, 2009 1:04 am (Pacific time)

I never was fond going to that park, for over 20 years its been nothing but gang infested.


Anonymous May 26, 2009 9:58 pm (Pacific time)

Blue pants and a blue shirt and Hispanic...My guess is that it was gang related and that this kid is a Crip. Oh, and your video has extra footage near the end. "It's and AR-15. Simple, basic. Oh, and I've got it too." lol What is that all about?

Tim King: Well, your guess is as good as mine.  I think it is an unfortunate incident and I don't want to speculate about gang membership because we don't know.  Besides, people tend to brush things off if they hear the word gang and all they probably amount to are some people in the wrong place at the wrong time.  We were slammed trying to get video to the Portland stations and our pkg suffered with the unnecessary nats.  I thought I had taken care of them.  Maybe I'll tighten it up and repost it.  

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