FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: March 10, 2024
CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net
Update 3/10/2024 | 12:15 p.m.
The final update in this case is the release of the name of the previously unidentified shooting victim.
The second surviving victim is Roberto Muñoz-Soto, age 16, of Salem.
With the suspect arrested and in custody of the Marion County Juvenile Department, all further media inquiries into the investigation must go through the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
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Suspect in custody
Update 3/9/2024 | 10:15 a.m.
The suspect in the case has been arrested.
Late Friday evening, March 8, in the company of a parent, Nathaniel Shauntae McCrae Jr. turned himself in at the Salem Police Station and was taken into custody without incident.
The 16-year-old McCrae was transported to the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center and lodged on the following charges:
- Murder in the second degree
- Attempted murder in the second degree, two counts
- Assault in the first degree, two counts
- 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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Update 3/8/2024 | 12:15 p.m.
The Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit is leading the investigation of the shooting death of a Salem teenager on Thursday afternoon in Bush’s Pasture Park.
The initial investigation revealed two large groups of juveniles were at the park when the gunfire erupted. Officers arrived at the scene quickly and assisted with helping the injured; however, 16-year-old Jose Vasquez-Valenzuela died at the scene.
Two other teenagers were also struck by bullets. Damien Esquivel-Soto, age 15, and another boy, age 16, were transported to Salem Health for medical treatment. The older teen was subsequently transferred to a Portland-area hospital for further care.
The name of the 16-year-old victim who survived is not being released at this time. “We have been unable to reach the family to notify them. Until we can do so, we will be withholding his name,” said public information officer Angela Hedrick.
Both surviving victims remain hospitalized.
The Upper Leffelle portion of the park was closed for more than six hours for investigation of the crime scene.
No arrests have been made in the case. Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack noted, “Right now, we are focused solely upon solving this crime, holding the perpetrator(s) accountable, and bringing justice to these victims and their families.
We will, though, have to continue our work with the community to develop an effective intervention and prevention strategy for this intolerable level of violence,” added Womack.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident and has not spoken with Salem Police detectives is asked to call the Salem Police Tips Line at 503-588-8477 and mention case number 24-19870.
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Originally published 3/7/2024 | 1551
Salem, Ore. — Salem Police officers are actively working a shooting incident near Bush’s Pasture Park this afternoon.
At approximately 1:45 p.m., officers were called to the area of High and Leffelle Street SE on the report of a shooting incident. Officers located three male victims with gunshot wounds. One victim was found deceased. The remaining two victims, who are juveniles, were transported to Salem Health for medical treatment.
The age of the deceased victim is not yet confirmed. The medical condition of the two surviving victims is unknown.
The portion of the park known as Upper Leffelle remains closed, and neighbors should avoid the area while officers search for a suspect and the scene is investigated.
Additional information will be published when it becomes available.
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