Ardeshir Tabrizian
Ardeshir Tabrizian has covered the justice system and public safety 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.
Man charged with Highland school attack released after state hospital snafu
A man accused of attacking workers at a Salem elementary school spent months in the state’s mental institution before being sent back to jail under a federal order. Left with few options, a judge released him to get treatment in the community.
Third boy, 15, accused of taking part in cat killing in SE Salem
Salem police said Wednesday night that a suspect who fatally shot a cat on May 10 “remains outstanding.” The agency said a third boy has been arrested in the killing.
Salem events from June 13-19: Juneteenth history walk, block party
This week’s events include a Father’s Day concert, Juneteenth celebrations and Powerland Heritage Park’s first-ever Train & Trolley Fest.
PART 3: Boy’s dream of leaving trouble behind dies in a gunfight with Salem police
PART 3: Salem police closed in on 16-year-old Bobby Brown, wanted for two shootings downtown. He leaned out of a car, fired at officers and was killed within seconds. The teen’s dream of escaping street life in Salem was over.
PART 2: Troubled teen ensnared in gang war that spills into downtown Salem
PART 2: In spring 2022, two downtown Salem shootings left a teenager bleeding from his head and a man in critical condition. Police suspected 16-year-old Bobby Brown was the shooter in both cases, setting off a search for him.
BOBBY’S CHOICES PART 1: A teen boy’s descent into the Salem gang underworld
Bobby Brown was ready to graduate high school early. Instead, the 16-year-old boy was wanted for two daytime shootings downtown. He was killed in a shootout with Salem police officers.
Police to boost NE Salem patrols, identify services for youth at risk of violence
This summer, local law enforcement agencies plan to start focusing police patrols in northeast Salem and deciding what services they’ll use for people at risk of being on either side of deadly violence.
Police seek possible witness of woman found dead along south Salem street
Salem police on Friday published surveillance video showing a driver on Southeast Rural Avenue on May 23, shortly before Carla Vasquez, 28, was found dead in the street near South Salem High School.
Police continuing to investigate “suspicious death” of woman found along south Salem street
Carla Vasquez, 28, was found dead on a street near South Salem High School on May 23 around 2 a.m. Police described the Salem woman’s death as suspicious but said they had no details about how she died.
Three sentenced for 2021 drive-by shooting that injured 10-year-old boy
A 2021 drive-by shooting near the North Lancaster neighborhood wounded a man and his 10-year-old nephew. The driver was the last of three men to be sentenced to prison for his role in the shooting.