A 43-year-old man was extradited to Salem from Mexico on Wednesday to face charges for the 2008 shooting death of a Keizer man.

Authorities believed Jesus Rodriguez-Borrayo fled the U.S. following the Aug. 17, 2008, fatal shooting of 21-year-old Rafael Garcia in the Highland neighborhood, according to a news release from the Marion County District Attorney’s office. 

The Salem Police Department works with the FBI to review and locate suspects at large. Investigators received information about Rodriguez-Borrayo’s whereabouts in December 2024 and began coordinating his arrest and extradition.

Mexican authorities arrested Rodriguez-Borrayo in December. He was held in Mexico until his extradition was approved on April 11. 

Rodriguez-Borrayo was returned on Wednesday to the Marion County Jail on accusations of second-degree murder, three counts of attempted second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon, according to the jail’s roster.

“This case highlights the great work of our detectives to not only identify the suspect nearly 17 years ago, but to persevere with our partners to find him and bring him back to meet justice.  I am proud of the effective work we all accomplish together to keep our city safe,” Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack said in a statement. 

Before the shooting, Garcia and three other victims were in a car at the intersection of Northeast 5th Street and Northeast Locust Street, the release said. A witness testified in a 2009 trial that an SUV pulled up behind them and opened fire, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported at the time.

Garcia was pronounced dead upon arriving at Salem Hospital, the release said. Three additional passengers survived their injuries.

Investigators located 19 shell casings from at least two different guns on scene, according to the release. 

A Marion County grand jury at the time indicted Rodriguez-Borrayo on multiple charges alleging he murdered Garcia and attempted to kill three other people. An arrest warrant was issued, but he could not be located.

Three men were arrested for their involvement in the crime: Francisco Ibarra-Ruiz, Adrian Montoya-Franco and Salvador Mariscal-Lopez.

Ibarra-Ruiz was found guilty of hindering the prosecution and conspiracy to commit murder in a jury trial in Aug. 2009. 

In a separate Aug. 2009 jury trial, Montoya-Franco was convicted of murder, three counts of attempted murder, two counts of first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit murder and unlawful use of a weapon.

Mariscal-Lopez pled guilty to conspiracy to commit murder in Aug. 2009. 

During Montoya-Franco’s trial, prosecutors described the crime as a case of “street-level vengeance” intended as retribution after Garcia stole Montoya-Franco’s cell phone, wallet and drugs, according to The Oregonian/OregonLive. 

District Attorney Paige Clarkson prosecuted the three men involved in the 2008 incident and will oversee Rodriguez-Borrayo’s prosecution. 

 “I am grateful to our Salem Police and FBI partners who have remained committed to ensuring that this defendant is brought back to face prosecution,” Clarkson said in a statement. “This matter is just one example of our commitment to ensuring that those who perpetrate violence in our community will be held accountable – no matter the passage of time.”

Rodriguez-Borrayo is scheduled to appear in court Thursday afternoon to face charges of second-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault, unlawful use of a weapon and conspiracy to commit murder.

Contact reporter Hailey Cook: [email protected] or 208-515-4097.

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