FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE:  January 3, 2024

CONTACT:     Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

Update 01/03/2024 | 6:00 p.m.

The suspect in the homicide of Ricardo Lopez-Cruz is now in custody.

Julio Cesar Sanchez-Sanchez, age 36, of Salem, turned himself in to Roseburg Police Department officers this afternoon. Sanchez is currently lodged at the Douglas County Jail pending transfer to the Marion County Jail on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.

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

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Originally published 01/03/2024 | 2:30 p.m.

Salem, Ore. — On January 1, 2024 at approximately 3:15 a.m., Salem Police patrol officers responded to the call of a man with a gunshot wound outside the La Leyenda night club at 3260 Portland RD NE. Officers located a man in the parking lot deceased from a gunshot wound.

Detectives from the Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene to handle the investigation in the death of 29-year-old Ricardo Lopez-Cruz. As part of the investigation, detectives have arrested a Woodburn resident in connection with the case.

On Tuesday evening, January 2, with the assistance from the Woodburn Police Department, Guadalupe Ortiz Cervantes was taken into custody without incident. The 34-year-old Cervantes was lodged at the Marion County Jail on charges of hindering prosecution. She is due to be arraigned at the Marion County Criminal Court Annex today at 2 p.m.

The Salem Police Department extends its thanks to the officers of the Woodburn Police Department for their assistance in the apprehension of Cervantes. At this time, the investigation into the January 1 homicide continues, and no further information is being released.

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