PUBLIC SAFETY

Salem teen arrested in fatal stabbing of young man in Wallace Marine Park in July

Police on Tuesday arrested a Salem teenager accused of fatally stabbing a young man in July at Wallace Marine Park.

A 16-year-old boy was lodged at the Yamhill County Juvenile Detention Center on allegations of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon for his role in the death of Riley J. Adams, 19, of Salem, according to the Salem Police Department.

The agency does not typically identify minors involved in criminal investigations. Juvenile court records are generally confidential under state law.

On Tuesday, Salem detectives, a SWAT team and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives searched a residence where they arrested the suspect, Salem police said in a news release.

Polk County District Attorney Aaron Felton said he could not not immediately clarify whether he intends to file a motion to have the teen tried in adult court.

The stabbing resulted from a “spontaneous dispute amongst youth” gathered at the boat ramp at the West Salem park in the morning hours of July 27, according to the police statement.

Officers responded to a call about the stabbing around 2:15 a.m. that morning and found Adams with multiple stab wounds in the south end of the park, near the Union Street pedestrian bridge, police said at the time.

Officers provided emergency medical care until Adams was transported to Salem Hospital. He remained in critical condition until he died of his injuries several weeks later on Aug. 19.

Police said at the time that Adams was not living in the Wallace Marine Park encampment.

Relatives of Adams gathered in September at Riverfront Park for an annual event dedicated to memorializing loved ones who have died.

They described him as a good artist who loved nature and would do anything for his family.

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Contact reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian: [email protected] or 503-929-3053.

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Ardeshir Tabrizian has covered criminal justice and housing for Salem Reporter since September 2021. As an Oregon native, his award-winning watchdog journalism has traversed the state. He has done reporting for The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly and Malheur Enterprise.