Salem, Ore. — Detectives from the Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit arrested 20-year-old Aljoze Reyes yesterday, October 25, on attempted murder and other related charges stemming from two separate gun violence investigations.
On the evening of September 28, patrol officers responded to the call of a traffic collision at the intersection of Lancaster DR and Sunnyview RD NE. Officers learned a man driving a truck was suffering from a gunshot wound to an extremity and crashed into a landscape strip at the location. The victim, a 60-year-old, male driver, reported he had just been in a dispute with a male individual. The investigation pointed to Reyes’ involvement in the incident.
The next night on September 29, patrol officers responded to an encampment in the Claggett Creek Natural Area on the report of a victim with a gunshot wound. Officers located a 36-year-old man by the railroad tracks with a single gunshot wound to the chest. The investigation determined the victim was in an argument with Reyes, an acquaintance, when the gunfire occurred.
In both incidents, patrol officers provided life-saving medical aid before the arrival of paramedics. Each victim was transported for treatment at Salem Health and have since been released.
Reyes was taken into custody without incident.
For the September 28 incident, Reyes is charged with the following:
- Assault in the first degree
- Unlawful use of a weapon
A Marion County Grand Jury indicted Reyes on Monday, October 24, on the following charges related to the September 29 incident:
- Attempt to commit murder in the second degree
- Assault in the first degree
- Unlawful use of a weapon
Reyes, who is in the custody of the Marion County Jail, also had two outstanding warrants; one for failing to appear on the charge of attempting to elude police and a warrant on a separate incident of menacing, both cases investigated by the Salem Police Department. He will be arraigned today at the Marion County Criminal Court Annex at 2:30 p.m.
All further media inquiries concerning these investigations should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
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