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News Release

Salem Man Receives Life In Prison For An August 2023 Shooting Of Three - 01/09/26

 

 

State of Oregon v. Jose Raya-Lara 

Marion County Circuit Court Case 23CR40169 and 23CR33507 

 

Salem, OR – January 9, 2026 – Today Marion County Circuit Court Judge Tracy Prall sentenced Jose Raya-Lara to life in prison, with a minimum of 324 months (27 years) in the Oregon Department of Corrections for Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm, Attempted Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm, and Assault in the Second Degree Constituting Domestic Violence with a Firearm.  

 

In August 17, 2023, brothers Edgar Maya and Sergio Maya were driving to their father’s house in SE Salem. On the way, Edgar decided to drive by the residence of Jose Raya-Lara to see if his ex-girlfriend and mother of his children, Carina Raveen Gonzalez, was at that location.   At that time, Raya Lara was now in a relationship with Gonzalez. However,  Raya-Lara had been charged with Strangulation- Domestic Violence against her for an incident that occurred in May 2023.  (Marion County Circuit Court Case 23CR33507) 

 

While driving by, Edgar saw his Gonzalez's car parked outside of the home. His brother, Sergio, instructed Edgar to let him out of the vehicle and proceed to a nearby park and wait for him to return. Upon exiting the vehicle, Sergio used a flooring hammer to break all the windows out of the Gonzalez’s car.  

 

From inside the residence, Raya-Lara and Gonzalez heard the noise of breaking windows and stepped outside the front door to see what was happening. Raya-Lara first exited the home and then ran back into the house and grabbed his gun. Surveillance camera footage showed Raya-Lara subsequently exiting the home with the handgun in his hand.  

 

After a brief verbal exchange, Sergio fled and jogged towards the park where Edgar was waiting for him. Gonzalez followed Sergio in her vehicle while Raya-Lara followed on foot. As they approached the park, she saw Edgar’s van and stopped to confront him. They began to verbally argue and soon Sergio arrived and stood near the van.  Meanwhile, Raya-Lara snuck to the other side of the street where Edgar could see him. Edgar moved towards Raya-Lara who quickly fired two shots at Edgar. One of those shots hit Edgar in the chest, ultimately resulting in his death. Sergio witnessed the shooting and began to run towards Raya-Lara who ultimately fired off several more rounds, striking Sergio and shattering his leg. Gonzalez, caught in the crossfire, was also shot in the leg and suffered ricochet wounds to her chest.  Both survived.

 

Once Raya-Lara realized he shot Gonzalez, he attempted to convince her to get into his mother’s car, who by that time had arrived on scene.  Gonzalez refused and stayed with Edgar and called 911.  Raya-Lara fled the scene in Gonzalez’s car for his house, where surveillance footage captured him running back into the residence with the gun in his hand.  

 

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrived quickly, but Raya-Lara was able to flee his home before he could be apprehended. He remained on the run for approximately 12 hours, until he was eventually detained and arrested.  

 

Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson said, “This incident shows how deadly irresponsible individuals with guns truly are.   Three people shot, and one killed over an incident that should have been dealt with by the police.  There is no room in our community for escalated revenge, and our office is committed to holding this type of behavior accountable.”  She went on the say “Hopefully, this sentence reflects some measure of justice to the victim’s family.” 

 

The case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.  The lead detective was Noe Martinez.  The Marion County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Detective Martinez and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for their professional and thorough initial response and following investigation.  The successful prosecution could not have been completed without the outstanding deputies who responded and investigated the case. 

 

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kylie Kuhns and Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy.  

 

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About Marion County District Attorney’s Office 

The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for seeking justice through promoting accountability for criminal offenders; interpreting, enforcing, and executing law; responding to the concerns of victims and the public; and working cooperatively with members of the justice system.  

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Salem Man Receives Life In Prison For An August 2023 Shooting Of Three - 01/09/26

 

 

State of Oregon v. Jose Raya-Lara 

Marion County Circuit Court Case 23CR40169 and 23CR33507 

 

Salem, OR – January 9, 2026 – Today Marion County Circuit Court Judge Tracy Prall sentenced Jose Raya-Lara to life in prison, with a minimum of 324 months (27 years) in the Oregon Department of Corrections for Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm, Attempted Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm, and Assault in the Second Degree Constituting Domestic Violence with a Firearm.  

 

In August 17, 2023, brothers Edgar Maya and Sergio Maya were driving to their father’s house in SE Salem. On the way, Edgar decided to drive by the residence of Jose Raya-Lara to see if his ex-girlfriend and mother of his children, Carina Raveen Gonzalez, was at that location.   At that time, Raya Lara was now in a relationship with Gonzalez. However,  Raya-Lara had been charged with Strangulation- Domestic Violence against her for an incident that occurred in May 2023.  (Marion County Circuit Court Case 23CR33507) 

 

While driving by, Edgar saw his Gonzalez's car parked outside of the home. His brother, Sergio, instructed Edgar to let him out of the vehicle and proceed to a nearby park and wait for him to return. Upon exiting the vehicle, Sergio used a flooring hammer to break all the windows out of the Gonzalez’s car.  

 

From inside the residence, Raya-Lara and Gonzalez heard the noise of breaking windows and stepped outside the front door to see what was happening. Raya-Lara first exited the home and then ran back into the house and grabbed his gun. Surveillance camera footage showed Raya-Lara subsequently exiting the home with the handgun in his hand.  

 

After a brief verbal exchange, Sergio fled and jogged towards the park where Edgar was waiting for him. Gonzalez followed Sergio in her vehicle while Raya-Lara followed on foot. As they approached the park, she saw Edgar’s van and stopped to confront him. They began to verbally argue and soon Sergio arrived and stood near the van.  Meanwhile, Raya-Lara snuck to the other side of the street where Edgar could see him. Edgar moved towards Raya-Lara who quickly fired two shots at Edgar. One of those shots hit Edgar in the chest, ultimately resulting in his death. Sergio witnessed the shooting and began to run towards Raya-Lara who ultimately fired off several more rounds, striking Sergio and shattering his leg. Gonzalez, caught in the crossfire, was also shot in the leg and suffered ricochet wounds to her chest.  Both survived.

 

Once Raya-Lara realized he shot Gonzalez, he attempted to convince her to get into his mother’s car, who by that time had arrived on scene.  Gonzalez refused and stayed with Edgar and called 911.  Raya-Lara fled the scene in Gonzalez’s car for his house, where surveillance footage captured him running back into the residence with the gun in his hand.  

 

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrived quickly, but Raya-Lara was able to flee his home before he could be apprehended. He remained on the run for approximately 12 hours, until he was eventually detained and arrested.  

 

Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson said, “This incident shows how deadly irresponsible individuals with guns truly are.   Three people shot, and one killed over an incident that should have been dealt with by the police.  There is no room in our community for escalated revenge, and our office is committed to holding this type of behavior accountable.”  She went on the say “Hopefully, this sentence reflects some measure of justice to the victim’s family.” 

 

The case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.  The lead detective was Noe Martinez.  The Marion County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Detective Martinez and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for their professional and thorough initial response and following investigation.  The successful prosecution could not have been completed without the outstanding deputies who responded and investigated the case. 

 

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kylie Kuhns and Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy.  

 

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About Marion County District Attorney’s Office 

The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for seeking justice through promoting accountability for criminal offenders; interpreting, enforcing, and executing law; responding to the concerns of victims and the public; and working cooperatively with members of the justice system.  

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