FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: May 9, 2024
Man arrested in menacing and pistol-whip incident
Salem, Ore. — At approximately 3:00 p.m. on May 8, officers responded to the call of an armed person at the transit mall in the 200 block of High ST NE. Transit mall security personnel reported a man, who was unable to board a bus, shouted threats and displayed a handgun. As the man fled, he pointed the gun at a passerby.
Responding officers located the suspect in the area of Court and Church STS NE where witnesses also reported the man used the grip of a gun to strike a female bystander in the face, knocking her to the ground and kicking her repeatedly.
After a brief foot pursuit, the suspect, Enrique King Hatfield, was apprehended by officers and a handgun was found on his person.
The woman who was assaulted was treated by paramedics at the scene.
The 21-year-old Hatfield was arrested and lodged at the Marion County Jail on various related charges including:
- Assault, second-degree
- Menacing, two counts
- Unlawful use of a weapon
- Felon in possession of a weapon
Hatfield is set to be arraigned at the Marion County Criminal Court Annex today at 2:30 p.m. As such, all further inquiries about this investigation should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
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