FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: July 2, 2026 
CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net 

Driver Arrested after Four-Vehicle Crash on Center Street Bridge 

SALEM, Ore. -- On July 2, 2026, at approximately 10:18 a.m., officers responded to a report of a four-vehicle crash on the Center Street Bridge, which resulted in a debris field spanning several hundred feet. 

Upon arrival, officers found that one of the individuals involved was transported by medics for evaluation. 

Witnesses reported that Thomas Ewing, 53, of Salem, was reportedly driving recklessly at speeds in excess of 80 mph leading up to the crash. The impact caused his vehicle to slide along the top of the bridge railing before returning to the roadway. 

Ewing was cited for Driving While Suspended (DWS) and lodged at Polk County Jail for Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangering. 

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

(PHOTO INCLUDED BELOW) 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: June 30, 2026 

Salem Police Investigate Fatal Shooting Incident 

SALEM, Ore. -- On June 30, 2026, officers responded to a call in the 1000 block of Fir Street S, where a 54-year-old Salem man died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was later pronounced deceased at the Salem Hospital. 

At approximately 11:49 a.m., a 38-year-old Salem woman reported there was a man sitting outside her apartment who was not supposed to have contact with her due to a court-imposed condition of his probation. The woman reported that the man was aware police had been called and the man was known to carry a firearm. 

Due to the mention of a firearm, a drone was deployed to locate the man while officers were responding. The drone operator located the man sitting in his vehicle directly underneath the woman's apartment. As officers were arriving on scene, a gunshot was reported from inside the vehicle. 

Officers approached the vehicle and secured the area, allowing medics to provide treatment to the man. The man was transported to Salem Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. During the incident, Owens and River Road were closed for approximately 30 minutes to ensure public safety. 

The man’s identity has been withheld pending next of kin notification. The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Salem Police Department. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: June 29, 2026

Salem Police Arrest Suspect in Attempted Kidnapping Incident 

SALEM, Ore.-- On June 28, 2026, Lino Lopez Palafox, 38, of Salem, was arrested in connection with an attempted kidnapping incident involving a 3-year-old child. 

At 5:42 p.m., officers responded to a report of a man who had just attempted to kidnap a 3-year-old child in the 2500 block of Rose Garden Street NE. The incident occurred while the child’s father was at a park with his son and 10-year-old daughter. It was reported that Lopez Palafox attempted to take the child after arguing with the father and trying to take the daughter’s bike. 

During the altercation, Lopez Palafox demanded property from the father, and when the father refused, he picked up the 3-year-old and attempted to leave with him. The father was able to regain control of his son and prevent the kidnapping. After the altercation the father called police and reported what had occurred.  

Officers quickly responded and located Lopez Palafox nearby, where he was arrested for Attempted Kidnapping in the First Degree and lodged at Marion County Jail. 

The victim’s family told investigating officers they did not know the suspect and did not have any previous dealings with him. 

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: June 24, 2026 

Salem Police Investigate Fatal Train vs. Pedestrian Incident 

SALEM, Ore. -- On June 24, 2026, at approximately 4:37 p.m., officers responded to a report of a train versus pedestrian crash at 4055 Turner Road SE. 

Upon arrival, officers found a deceased male believed to be in his early 50s. The train was traveling southbound on the tracks beneath I-5 and was unable to stop in time. The pedestrian’s identity has not been confirmed at this time. 

Union Pacific Police has jurisdiction over this area and will be leading the investigation. 

The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Union Pacific Police. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: June 20, 2026  

Salem Police Locate and Recover Property in Burglary and Theft Investigation 

SALEM, Ore. -- On June 18, 2026, Felony Crimes Unit detectives served a search warrant and recovered stolen property at a local storage unit while following up on a burglary investigation.  

The investigation began on June 2, 2026, when a Salem Police Community Services Officer (CSO) responded to a report of a burglary at More Flips, a sports and collector card shop in the 1700 block of Center St NE. The owner of the shop reported over $60,000 in merchandise was stolen. The CSO developed information that assisted patrol officers in identifying, locating, and arresting Colt Snyder, 35, of Salem, in connection with the burglary. Snyder was lodged at Marion County Jail on multiple charges, including Burglary in the First Degree and Theft in the First Degree. 

Detectives from the Felony Crimes Unit took over the investigation and identified a storage unit on Hawthorne Avenue NE linked to Snyder. Detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for the storage unit. During the search, some of the stolen property was recovered and other evidence was seized. The stolen property was returned to the store owner. 

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: June 18, 2026

Salem Police Capture Burglary Suspect 

SALEM, Ore. -- On June 18, 2026, officers arrested Jeremiah Grieser, 30, of Salem, in connection with a burglary incident that occurred at approximately 3:31 a.m. 

Officers responded to a business in the 4000 block of Salem Industrial Drive NE after security reported a male suspect had entered the building and was seen taking items from inside. The suspect was reported to be running down the railroad tracks as officers were arriving. Officers set up a perimeter, deployed a drone and canine to assist in locating the suspect. 

Officers located and confronted the suspect, later identified as Grieser. He then attempted to run from the officers, but he was ultimately apprehended by K9 Andor. 

During the investigation, approximately $2,500 worth of stolen property was recovered. Grieser will be lodged at Marion County Jail on multiple charges, including Burglary in the First Degree, Possession of Burglary Tools, Escape in the Third Degree, Theft in the First Degree, and a felony 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: June 13, 2026 

Salem Police Arrest Two Men Interfering with Salem Pride Event 

SALEM, Ore.-- On June 13, 2026, at approximately 1:30 p.m., officers were notified that a group of about eight individuals were reportedly interfering with a permitted Salem Pride event in downtown Salem. Event organizers, who had authority over access to the permitted area, asked the group to leave after observing disruptions by the group. 

Officers responded and contacted the group, advising them that they were trespassing and needed to exit the permitted event space. After several attempts to obtain voluntary compliance, officers arrested Ryan Clark, 49, and Mason Goodnight, 51, both of Roseburg, for Criminal Trespass. The remaining members of the group with Clark and Goodnight left the area voluntarily.  

Clark and Goodnight were taken into custody and transported to the Salem Police Department, where their arrests were processed.  

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: June 11, 2026

State Police Investigating Salem Police Officer-Involved Shooting Incident 

SALEM, Ore.-- On June 11, 2026, at approximately 7:28 a.m., officers responded to a 911 call at an encampment near the 3300 block of Portland Road NE. 

Arriving officers encountered a man with a weapon and a confrontation ensued. A Salem Police Officer fired shots at the suspect, striking him. The man was treated at the scene by Salem Fire Medics and transported to Salem Hospital for treatment. 

Pursuant to Marion County protocol for deadly force incidents (“Senate Bill 111 protocol”), Oregon State Police is investigating the incident with the assistance of other local agencies. At this time, the investigation is ongoing. Any further information will be released by the Oregon State Police or Marion County District Attorney’s Office. 

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*** Note: Edited to remove location address - 06/08/2026 - JH511. ***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: June 8, 2026 

Salem Police Arrest Suspect Following Domestic Disturbance and Firearms Investigation 

SALEM, Ore. -- On June 7, 2026, officers arrested Jeffrey Boyer, 64, of Salem, following a domestic disturbance investigation onOxford Street SE. Boyer was wanted for a prior incident involving strangulation that had been reported just hours earlier. 

At approximately 6:24 a.m., officers responded to the residence and contacted Boyer, taking him into custody without incident. During the investigation, safety concerns were noted regarding several firearms at the location. 

While officers investigated, multiple un-serialized rifles, short-barreled rifles, and an un-serialized suppressor were located. 

Boyer was lodged at Marion County Correctional Facility including Domestic Strangulation and multiple firearms related charges including Unlawful Manufacture of a Firearm. 

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: June 5, 2026 

Salem Police Arrest Suspect in Multi-State Domestic Kidnapping and Assault Incident 

SALEM, Ore. -- On June 5, 2026, officers arrested Michael Knabe, 42, of Wenatchee, Washington, in connection with a multi-state kidnapping and domestic assault incident involving, his significant other, a 41-year-old woman also from Wenatchee, WA. 

The incident began on the evening of June 4, 2026, when Knabe kidnapped the victim in Wenatchee, Washington. During the drive to Salem, Knabe assaulted the victim multiple times. On June 5, at approximately 5:56 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Center Market located at 1790 Center Street NE after the victim ran inside to seek help, Salem Patrol responded and contacted the victim at that location. 

Upon arrival, officers found the victim with multiple severe injuries. She was transported to Salem Hospital for medical treatment. 

Detectives from the Felony Crimes and Violent Crimes Units were notified and continued the investigation. Knabe was located and taken into custody without incident. He was lodged at Marion County Jail on charges of Assault in the Second Degree and Kidnapping in the First Degree. 

The victim is currently working with a Salem Police Domestic Violence Advocate for temporary housing until her family can pick her up. 

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

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