Category Public Safety
UPDATE: State says DEA agent’s immunity defense is unjustified
The Oregon Department of Justice intends to appeal a federal judge’s order granting the request of a DEA agent to move his criminal case to federal court so he can assert immunity from prosecution. The state agency said Tuesday that the case should be tried in Marion County Circuit Court because Samuel T. Landis, 38, has no valid federal defense in for running a stop sign and killing Salem cyclist Marganne Allen while on duty.
Police chief plans 6-person team to focus on Salem gun violence
A recent report found shootings in Salem have doubled in the past five years to 20 in 2022. Police Chief Trevor Womack now plans to assign around six officers to investigate all shootings, identify those most at risk of being assailants or victims, and work with nonprofits who can help them escape lives of violence.
Loaded gun found on Forest Ridge Elementary grounds during winter break
Someone walking on the Forest Ridge Elementary campus in Keizer over winter break found a rusted handgun on school grounds. Keizer police took the gun.
Salinas seeks solutions to fentanyl overdose crisis in Oregon
Salem leaders say flexibility with federal dollars is necessary to respond quickly to the growing epidemic.
DA releases account of gunfire, violent threats and a fatal police shooting in Four Corners
Justin Jordan shot at a driver, pointed a gun at several others and urged police to kill him during a standoff in an east Salem neighborhood on Nov. 24, according to Marion County prosecutors. Officers shot and killed Jordan after he pointed a gun at them.
UPDATE: Suspect charged in shooting death of man found outside NE Salem nightclub
Julio C. Sanchez-Sanchez, 36, turned himself in to Roseburg police Wednesday afternoon. Marion County prosecutors have charged him with murder for the shooting death of 29-year-old Ricardo Lopez-Cruz on New Year's Day.
Pilot in Independence crash tried to land in fog against instructor’s advice
Three Afghan refugee pilots were killed in the Dec. 16 crash in Independence after overshooting the runway while attempting to land in heavy fog, federal investigators said in a recent report.
Driver, passengers fled crash that caused power outage in North Lancaster Tuesday
Deputies found multiple handguns in a car after the driver crashed into a utility pole on Northeast Brown Road Tuesday evening, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said. The collision took out power for about 2,000 homes and businesses.
Traffic accident takes out power for 2,000 in north Lancaster
Portland General Electric estimated power would be restored around 11 p.m. after a traffic accident caused a large outage.