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News Release

Altercation Ends In Multiple Stabbings, Leaving One Person Dead And Another Injured — UPDATE -05/09/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: May 9, 2025

Updated 05-09-2025 | 0755

Suspect in custody

Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit detectives have arrested a male juvenile in the homicide of Isac Steven Rizo. Rizo, age 21, received fatal knife injuries during a physical altercation with the suspect at a billiard hall on May 8.

The 16-year-old suspect was taken into custody without incident at approximately 9:30 p.m. outside a residence in northeast Salem. He was transported to the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center and lodged on the following charges:

  • Murder, second degree
  • Attempted murder, first degree
  • Assault, second degree
  • Unlawful use of a weapon

With the suspect in custody, all further inquiries concerning this investigation should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

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Originally published 05-08-2025 | 1130

Altercation ends in multiple stabbings, leaving one person dead and another injured

Salem, Ore. — Just before 1:00 a.m. this morning, Salem Police officers responded to the report of two stabbing victims who arrived at the Salem Health emergency room in need of immediate medical care.

Officers learned the stabbings occurred during a physical altercation between a group of young men at The Cue Ball located at 1242 State ST.

One of the individuals who was stabbed, 21-year-old Isac Steven Rizo of Salem, died from his injuries at the hospital. A second victim, a 20-year-old man, received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

Violent Crimes Unit detectives are investigating Rizo’s death as a homicide.

No further details about the incident are being released at this time, as this is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Salem Police Tip Line at 503-588-8477.

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Suspect In Shoplift Incident Arrested At Local Park -05/07/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: May 7, 2025

Suspect in shoplift incident arrested at local park

Salem, Ore. — Ricardo Zepeda-Gonzalez of Salem is in custody at the Marion County Jail on charges of first-degree robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing, and second-degree theft after fleeing the scene of a store theft.

Zepeda-Gonzalez was arrested at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, after leaving The Home Depot at 3795 Hagers Grove RD SE with nearly $800 in merchandise. When approached by store security personnel, witnesses reported Zepeda‑Gonzalez displayed what appeared to be a revolver, then fled the area on foot.

With the assistance of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, a search of the area by drone and police canine team resulted in locating the 40-year-old Zepeda-Gonzalez at nearby Cascades Gateway Park.

Zepeda-Gonzalez is set to be arraigned today at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex at 2:30 p.m.

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Teen In Custody After Shooting Incident In West Salem (Photo) -04/30/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: April 30, 2025

Teen in custody after shooting incident in west Salem

Salem, Ore. — A Salem teenager is in custody for his involvement in a shooting incident in west Salem on Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 4:45 p.m. on April 29, several callers reported hearing multiple gunshots in the area of Elm ST and Kingwood AV NW. Witnesses reported suspect details to arriving officers who searched the area, including the use of police canine team.

A 16-year-old boy identified as the suspect involved in the incident was located at a residence in the 1300 block of Elm ST NW. A semi-automatic rifle, which appeared altered, was located and seized. The teen, who is the custody of the Yamhill County Department of Community Justice Juvenile Division faces charges in a Polk County court.

No injuries were reported; however, a neighbor informed police that a bullet damaged a window of their home.

Franklin, Elm, and 3rd STS between Rosemont and Kingwood AVS were temporarily closed during the search for the suspect. The area reopened at approximately 5:45 p.m.

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Man Arrested In Connection With Explosions In Southeast Salem Neighborhood (Photo) -04/30/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: April 30, 2025

Man arrested in connection with explosions in southeast Salem neighborhood

Salem, Ore. — Jason Douglas Kiser of Salem was arrested yesterday afternoon, April 29, for his involvement in the investigation of series of explosions that targeted a residence in the 5700 block of Woodside DR SE.

In the first incident, an explosion was reported on April 23 at approximately 2:30 a.m. Damage from the improvised explosive device was limited to a vehicle in the driveway. A second incident at the location was reported on April 25 just after 2:00 p.m., after another explosion occurred in the front yard of the residence. The third incident occurred on April 28, just after 10:00 p.m. The improvised explosive device damaged a vehicle in the driveway.

The initial investigation by patrol officers and follow up done by the Bomb Squad identified the 38‑year‑old Kiser as the suspect. It was determined that Kiser and the homeowner are known to one another.

Kiser was arrested on April 29 afternoon as he entered a business in the 5700 block of Commercial ST SE. The Bomb Squad responded to the scene and performed a search of Kiser’s vehicle. An additional improvised explosive device was recovered from the interior.

Kiser was lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges:

  • Reckless endangering, three counts
  • Criminal mischief, three counts

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Photo Enforcement Program To Expand At Existing South Salem Locations — CORRECTION (Photo) -04/28/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: April 28, 2025

Update 04-28-2025 | 1515

Please note a correction to the following statement: Before a citation is sent to the vehicle’s driver notifying them of the incident, a recording of any violation identified by the system is verified by a police officer.

We apologize for any confusion and appreciate the opportunity to provide clarification.

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Originally published 04-28-2025 | 1030

Photo enforcement program to expand at existing south Salem locations

Salem, Ore. — Salem’s longtime photo enforcement program is set to expand this week by increasing detection capability for red light and speed violations at two south Salem intersections.

Starting Thursday, May 1, the northbound-facing cameras at Commercial ST and Kuebler BV SE and Commercial ST at Madrona AV SE will detect whether vehicles stop for the red lights or exceed the posted speed limit.

For the first month, between May 1 and May 30, warnings will be issued to the northbound drivers who violate the stop light or the speed rule through those Commercial ST intersections. Before a citation is sent to the vehicle’s registered owner notifying them of the incident, a recording of any violation identified by the system is verified by a police officer.

In the 17 years since program was implemented, data from the sites indicates a steady decrease in crashes at those fixed traffic enforcement camera locations. Salem has six intersections with the automated technology:

  • Center ST at Hawthorne AV NE
  • Commercial ST at Kuebler BV SE
  • Commercial ST at Madrona AV SE
  • Commercial at Marion STS NE
  • Mission at 25th STS SE
  • Silverton at Fisher RDS NE

Traffic safety and fatal collision reduction remains a Salem Police Department strategic priority and is a priority issue for the Salem community. An anonymous poll of Salem residents via the neighborhood social media platform Nextdoor in February provided insight into the community’s perception of the program. Sixty-one percent of respondents agreed with the use of the camera systems, and 59% would like to see more locations added.

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