A 15-year-old boy was arrested Thursday night after police say he fired shots behind an AMPM convenience store.
Around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, patrol officers with the Salem Police Department responded to a call reporting shots fired behind the store in the 3800 block of Portland RD NE, according to a Friday news release from the department.
The department reported no injuries.
Surveillance video showed a man or boy shooting toward a vehicle in the store’s parking lot. Witnesses helped police find a suspect who fled toward the Ridgecreek Manor Apartments in the 2400 block of Wayside TR NE.
Salem police detectives who were working on a separate case responded to the scene and helped officers, the news release said. Police found spent casings in the parking lot and told neighbors to lock down the complex while a police dog team looked for the firearm.
“Through the witness statements and video footage, detectives identified an apartment where they believed the shooter was located,” the news release said. Police contacted people inside the apartment, and the suspected shooter left the building and was arrested without incident.
The department isn’t releasing the minor’s name as juvenile court records are generally confidential under state law. He was lodged at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of second-degree attempted murder, unlawful use of a weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, reckless endangering and first-degree criminal mischief.
The department said in the news release that any inquiries about the incident should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
“The Salem Police Department continues to dedicate resources from the Criminal Investigations and Patrol Division to address gun violence in our community,” the news release said. “Our thanks to the residents and businesses for their efforts to help resolve these incidents which greatly impact our Salem neighborhoods. “
-Ardeshir Tabrizian
