FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: March 2, 2026 

Marion County Grand Jury Indicts Suspect on Enhanced Assault Charges Following Street Racing Crash 

SALEM, Ore. -- On February 26, 2026, a Marion County Grand Jury indicted David Barrera, 27, of Salem, in connection with a street racing crash that occurred on April 10, 2025, at approximately 11:14 a.m. The original charges against Barrera of Assault in the Third Degree and Reckless Driving have been upgraded to Assault in the Second Degree and Reckless Driving. 

The traffic crash occurred at Fairgrounds Road and Academy Street NE. Witnesses reported seeing a high-performance BMW street racing at a high rate of speed prior to the crash. At the time of the crash, the victim was making a permissive left turn, unaware of the accelerating BMW. 

The victim, 66, of Salem, who is deaf, suffered significant injuries to both her wrists, which limited her ability to communicate for some time, and she still feels the effects today. 

The Salem Police Traffic Team’s investigation revealed that the vehicle driven by Barrera was traveling at nearly three times the posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour at the time of the crash. 

Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that speeding has been seen as a contributing factor in approximately one third of all motor vehicle fatalities. 

The Salem Police Department is committed to ensuring public safety and addressing reckless driving and street racing in our community. Together with the Marion County District Attorney's Office, we will hold individuals accountable for their actions. 

For further inquiries, please contact the Marion County District Attorney's Office. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: March 2, 2026  

Salem Police Seek Public Assistance with February 17th McKay Park Shooting Investigation 

SALEM, Ore. — Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit detectives are seeking the public's assistance in connection with a shooting that occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on February 17, 2026, at McKay Park, located at 2755 Hollywood Drive NE. 

Responding officers located a crime scene and identified two juvenile victims. One victim sustained a gunshot wound to his arm after being approached during a confrontation in the park. The suspects fled the area before officers arrived. 

Officers searched the area with a canine and drone but were unable to locate the suspects.

Police are looking for two male individuals who are considered persons of interest in the investigation. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Salem Police Department tip line at (503) 588-8477 and reference case number SMP26014094. Your assistance is crucial in helping us ensure the safety of our community. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: February 27, 2026 

Salem Police Monitor Public Demonstration at Oregon State Capitol 

SALEM, Ore. -- On February 27, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Salem Police personnel, including officers from the Mobile Response Team and Traffic Team, monitored a planned “All-School Walkout” organized and sponsored by Latinos Unidos Siempre (LUS), which ended at the Oregon State Capitol. 

Students from many Salem-Keizer middle and high schools conducted coordinated walkouts throughout the city to protest immigration enforcement actions. Due to the expected number of participants, Salem officers were assigned to monitor the event and respond to dispatched calls related to it. 

Willamette Valley Communications Center received several calls reporting groups of students marching in various locations around the city and blocking traffic. Officers were dispatched to those locations to help ensure safety. 

As the event progressed, officers began monitoring the arrival of counter-demonstrators, who were engaging with the students and adults as they marched toward the Capitol. Both Oregon State Police and Salem officers monitored these groups throughout the event. 

At approximately 12:30 p.m., an estimated 2,000 participants had gathered on the Capitol grounds. Officers monitored interactions between event participants and counter-demonstrators as they engaged with each other. 

The counter-demonstrators eventually moved toward the area of 12th Street and Center Street, where a large group of students engaged with them, creating a disturbance.  

During this interaction, a Salem patrol vehicle was briefly surrounded, and water bottles were thrown toward the counter group. The counter-demonstrators fled the area as demonstrators pursued them. Officers contacted involved parties and remained in the area until the groups separated. No injuries were reported, and no arrests were made at that time. 

At approximately 2:00 p.m., event participants marched around the Oregon State Capitol without incident. The event concluded around 4:00 p.m. 

As the event concluded, officers also responded to multiple calls regarding a reported fight near the 300 block of Cottage Street NE. Upon arrival, officers contacted several individuals involved; however, no parties wished to pursue charges or identify themselves as victims at that time. The department is actively investigating this incident. 

During the event, officers periodically engaged with the participants and directed them back onto sidewalks to maintain traffic flow and public safety. Officers also conducted several traffic stops of vehicles where safety violations were observed, such as passengers hanging out of vehicles. Citations were issued where appropriate. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: February 27, 2026 

Salem Police Monitor Public Demonstration at Oregon State Capitol 

SALEM, Ore. -- On February 27, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Salem Police personnel, including officers from the Mobile Response Team and Traffic Team, monitored a planned “All-School Walkout” organized and sponsored by Latinos Unidos Siempre (LUS), which ended at the Oregon State Capitol. 

Students from many Salem-Keizer middle and high schools conducted coordinated walkouts throughout the city to protest immigration enforcement actions. Due to the expected number of participants, Salem officers were assigned to monitor the event and respond to dispatched calls related to it. 

Willamette Valley Communications Center received several calls reporting groups of students marching in various locations around the city and blocking traffic. Officers were dispatched to those locations to help ensure safety. 

As the event progressed, officers began monitoring the arrival of counter-demonstrators, who were engaging with the students and adults as they marched toward the Capitol. Both Oregon State Police and Salem officers monitored these groups throughout the event. 

At approximately 12:30 p.m., an estimated 2,000 participants had gathered on the Capitol grounds. Officers monitored interactions between event participants and counter-demonstrators as they engaged with each other. 

The counter-demonstrators eventually moved toward the area of 12th Street and Center Street, where a large group of students engaged with them, creating a disturbance.  

During this interaction, a Salem patrol vehicle was briefly surrounded, and water bottles were thrown toward the counter group. The counter-demonstrators fled the area as demonstrators pursued them. Officers contacted involved parties and remained in the area until the groups separated. No injuries were reported, and no arrests were made at that time. 

At approximately 2:00 p.m., event participants marched around the Oregon State Capitol without incident. The event concluded around 4:00 p.m. 

As the event concluded, officers also responded to multiple calls regarding a reported fight near the 300 block of Cottage Street NE. Upon arrival, officers contacted several individuals involved; however, no parties wished to pursue charges or identify themselves as victims at that time. The department is actively investigating this incident. 

During the event, officers periodically engaged with the participants and directed them back onto sidewalks to maintain traffic flow and public safety. Officers also conducted several traffic stops of vehicles where safety violations were observed, such as passengers hanging out of vehicles. Citations were issued where appropriate. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: February 24, 2026 
CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net 

Prolific Property Offender Sentenced to Over Five Years in Prison 

SALEM, Ore. — On February 23, 2026, Johnathan Cherry, 37, of Salem, was sentenced to 63 months after pleading guilty to multiple property crimes he committed within the Salem area.   

Over an 18-month period of time, Salem patrol officers and detectives, along with Marion County Sheriff’s Office personnel, investigated multiple property crimes in the Salem area. Ultimately, Johnathan Cherry was identified as a suspect in numerous burglaries, stolen vehicle investigations and other thefts to include firearms.   

Cherry was subsequently arrested. In September of 2025, Cherry accepted a plea deal on several cases and was sentenced to probation and given a suspended sentence. Since then, Cherry continued to reoffend and victimized additional businesses and individuals, including the commission of new crimes on the day he took the plea deal.   

On October 20, 2025, Cherry was contacted and arrested by Salem patrol officers. He was lodged at the Marion County Jail where he remained in custody until his sentencing yesterday. On the day of his arrest, Salem police detectives were granted a search warrant for Cherry’s vehicle which revealed further evidence of the crimes he committed. The following day, detectives served a search warrant at Cherry’s residence and found further evidence of a crime involving a Marion County Sheriff’s Office case.   

In addition to the crimes that Cherry pleaded to in September of 2025, he also pleaded guilty to additional charges of Burglary (x4), Theft, and Identity Theft. Cherry has been sentenced to a total of 63 months in prison. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: February 23, 2026 

SALEM POLICE ARREST SUSPECT FOR RESTRAINING ORDER VIOLATION 

SALEM, Ore. — On February 22, 2026, Cristian Mercado, 31, of Salem, was arrested following a violation of a restraining order at a residence located in the 4900 block of Periwinkle Drive SE. 

At approximately 7:00 p.m., officers responded to a restraining order violation at the location where Mercado was found to be in violation of an existing protection order. The protection order restricted Mercado from being in contact with the victim and her three children. The victim was at work at the time she called, and the location services for her children’s phones had been turned off. 

Mercado also had a confirmed warrant for domestic violence-related assault, with the victim as the complainant, and was known to have access to firearms. 

Officers contained the house and attempted communication for an extended period; however, Mercado would only stay on the phone for short periods, hindering negotiation efforts. Salem SWAT and the Crisis Negotiations Team were called to the scene. At 11:45 p.m. Mercado finally surrendered without further incident. 

Mercado was lodged at Marion County Jail on four counts of Violating a Restraining Order, as well as the outstanding warrant. 

The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney's Office. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: February 18, 2026

Salem Police Make Arrest in Connection with Shooting Incident 

SALEM, Ore. -- Alexander Elsherbini, 29, of Salem, was arrested on February 18, 2026, following a shooting incident that occurred on January 17, 2026, at approximately 6:55 p.m. 

On that evening, multiple callers reported hearing shots fired near the 4700 block of Skyline Road S. Officers arrived at the scene and located three spent casings and a vehicle that had been shot at. Officers canvassed the area and discovered a black sedan that reportedly passed by the victim's vehicle and fired shots towards it. 

Detectives from the Strategic Investigations Unit were able to identify Elsherbini as the individual responsible for the shooting. On February 18, 2026, Salem SWAT executed a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of Myers Street S, where they took Elsherbini into custody. During the search of the residence, investigators located two firearms: a bolt-action rifle and a handgun. 

Elsherbini was lodged at Marion County Jail on charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Criminal Mischief in the First Degree. 

SWAT also arrested Brandon Garvin, 27, of Salem, who was at the house and had an unrelated Parole Violation warrant and was lodged at Marion County Jail. 

Elsherbini is scheduled to be arraigned on February 19, 2026, 2:30 p.m. at the Marion County Court Annex, located at 4000 Aumsville Highway. 

The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney's Office. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: February 15, 2026 
CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net 

Swift Action by Salem Police and Local Agencies Leads to Arrest in Shooting Incident 

SALEM, Ore. — On February 14, 2026, officers arrested Jonathan Roy Debnam, 33, of Monmouth, in connection with a shooting incident that occurred at a U.S. Market located in the 1000 block of Broadway Street NE. 

At approximately 6:55 p.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting at the market. The male store clerk reported that a conflict arose between him and a male patron. The man then retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and used the butt of the handgun to break a window at the store. As the man was leaving the area, he fired shots at the store, which struck a few feet from where the store clerk was hiding. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident. 

Patrol officers were able to identify Debnam as the suspect. Detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit were called in to assist with the investigation. Information was shared with local law enforcement, and shortly thereafter the Monmouth Police Department reported they had located the involved vehicle near their police department. 

Salem officers and a Salem canine team responded to the area. Officers and deputies with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Independence Police Department, and Monmouth Police Department worked together closely to further the investigation. Debnam was captured when he attempted to return to the vehicle that officers were monitoring. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Salem Police Department. 

Debnam was lodged at the Marion County Jail for multiple charges, including Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Menacing. Additional charges may be pending. 

The Salem Police Department would like to thank the responding patrol officers, Violent Crimes Unit detectives, Keizer Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Monmouth Police Department, and Independence Police Department for their collaborative efforts in this investigation. 

The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney's Office. 

The Salem Police Department remains committed to the Community Violence Reduction Initiative (CVRI) and is dedicated to reducing violent crime and holding individuals accountable for their actions.  

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Update: February 12, 2026,1:19 p.m.

The correct time the event was reported was 9:00 p.m. not 11:30 p.m. as previously reported.

+++ ORIGINAL RELEASE +++

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: February 12, 2026 

Salem Police Seek Public Assistance in Attempted Murder Investigation 

SALEM, Ore. — Salem Police are seeking the community’s assistance in locating Daniel Ray Myers, 62, of Salem, in connection with an Attempted Murder investigation. 

On February 10, 2026, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Myers and the victim were in his vehicle making online food delivery orders when he drove the victim to a secluded location in West Salem. The victim reported Myers attempted to sexually assault her, and when she resisted, he stabbed her multiple times. As the victim attempted to flee, he held her in the vehicle. The victim was able to convince Myers to let her go into the Walgreens in Keizer to obtain first aid items, where store staff called police on her behalf. 

Upon police arrival, they found the victim, who was subsequently transported to Salem Hospital to have her injuries treated. Myers had fled the scene in his vehicle, and his current whereabouts are unknown. Meyers is driving a silver Honda Civic with Oregon license plate 241NGP. There is probable cause to arrest Myers for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and other felony crimes. 

Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit Detectives are asking anyone with information on Myers’ whereabouts to call the Salem Police Tips Line, (503) 588-8477, and reference case number SMP26012142. 

It is likely that Myers has access to firearms. If you see Myers, please use caution, do not approach, and call 911. 

The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Salem Police Communications Office. 

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UPDATE: February 9, 2026

Correction to age of Marsielle, it was originally reported he was 20, however his accurate age is 23. Additionally it should be noted the fight was in the alley outside the establishment listed in the release when officers arrived on scene. There is no indication the fight started inside Mykies. 

### SPD ###

Original Release:  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: February 7, 2026  

Salem Police Respond to Bar Incident; Multiple Arrests Made 

SALEM, Ore. — On February 7, 2026, at approximately 01:35 a.m., officers responded to Mikey's Bar and Grill, at 155 Liberty Street NE, on a report of a fight involving multiple subjects, with mention of a firearm. 

As officers arrived on scene, a man discarded a firearm near a vehicle. Officers chased and apprehended the man, Demetre Marseille, 20, of Salem. He was taken into custody without further incident and had allegedly threatened security and patrons with a handgun. Officers also located individual bags of suspected cocaine on Marseille. 

During the incident, officers attempted to stop a vehicle involved in the altercation, but the driver, Edgar Juarez-Juarez 23, of Salem, fled the scene. The vehicle was later located after crashing nearby. The driver and passenger were transported to Salem Hospital and treated for minor injuries. 

Following the incident, a search warrant was executed on Marseille’s vehicle, resulting in the recovery of a second firearm with an obliterated serial number. 

Marseille was lodged at Marion County Jail on multiple charges, including Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, and Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine. Juarez-Juarez was lodged at Marion County Jail on multiple charges, including DUII, Attempt to Elude a Police Officer, and Reckless Driving. 

The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney's Office. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: February 6, 2026 

Multi-Agency Effort Leads to Arrest of Armed Robbery Suspect 

SALEM, Ore. — On February 6, 2026, Jorge Reyes-Suarez, 45, of Salem, was arrested in connection with a robbery that took place earlier in the parking lot of Costco located in the 4800 block of 27th Avenue SE. 

At approximately 12:06 p.m. today, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, a woman, bleeding in the parking lot with an obvious head injury. She told officers she had just placed her Costco items into her vehicle and returned her cart when an unknown man armed with a handgun assaulted her and took her fanny pack. 

During the incident, the suspect struck the victim in the head with the handgun. The victim was transported to the Salem Hospital by Salem Fire Medics for treatment of significant injuries to her head and face. 

Community members attempted to intervene, but the suspect fled the scene in a white Toyota Corolla. Dispatch broadcasted the information to surrounding agencies, which helped Oregon State Police locate the vehicle. After a brief pursuit, officers found the described vehicle unoccupied in the 2600 block of Portland Road NE. 

Officers from multiple agencies including Salem Police, Keizer Police, Oregon State Police and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, set up a perimeter for a canine track. During the track, the canine located what appeared to be a handgun, which was later found to be a realistic-looking pellet gun. 

A Salem officer spotted the suspect who was walking from the direction of the vehicle, and he matched the suspect description given. He was arrested without incident and taken to the police station. 

Jorge Reyes-Suarez was lodged at Marion County Jail for multiple charges, including Robbery in the First Degree and Assault in the First Degree. Additionally, Oregon State Police will be filing charges for Felony Attempt to Elude. 

The Salem Police Department would like to thank all our partner agencies for their assistance in this case. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: February 5, 2026 

Salem Police Arrest Suspect in Attempted Arson Case 

SALEM, Ore. — On February 5, 2026, Jacob Braun, 32, of Salem, was arrested in connection with an attempted arson incident that occurred on January 30, 2026. 

On the evening of January 30, officers responded to a report of attempted arson in the 5300 block of Landon Street SE. The investigation identified Braun as the suspect, who attempted to ignite a paper bag containing gasoline on the front porch. When that failed, he poured the gasoline on the porch and walls and attempted to ignite it with a lighter but was unsuccessful. 

Crime Analysts from the Salem Police Department assisted in distributing a bulletin to law enforcement agencies in the valley and coastal areas to locate Braun. This morning at approximately 1:45 a.m., Newport Police arrested Braun during a traffic stop without incident and transferred him to detectives with the Felony Crimes Unit. 

Thank you to the Newport Police Department for their assistance with locating and arresting the suspect in this case. 

Braun was lodged at Marion County Jail for Attempted Arson in the First Degree and is scheduled to be arraigned at 2:30 p.m. at the Marion County Annex, located at 4000 Aumsville Highway. 

The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney's Office. 

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