Teen accused of injuring boy arrested after groups fight with gunfire in Salem
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Police have arrested a teen in connection to a shooting that happened in downtown Salem in late June, authorities announced on Wednesday.
According to the Salem Police Department, 19-year-old William Jonah Wilson was arrested this week and is accused of being involved in the shooting that caused a 16-year-old boy to be sent to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the neck.
On June 29 at 9:20 p.m., Salem police responded to the 400 block of Mill Street SE on reports of "a juvenile lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound." The boy was sent to the hospital after officers gave him medical aid until paramedics came.
According to a Salem police release, "The investigation by Violent Crimes Unit detectives determined two groups of people had gathered at the Pringle Plaza Parkade, at 399 High ST SE, when a dispute ensued between them, and gunfire erupted leaving the victim with a gunshot wound to the neck."
On Tuesday afternoon, Salem police detectives and the Strayton Police Department arrested Wilson in Strayton outside a residence in the 200 block of North 4th Avenue.
Wilson is being lodged in the Marion County Jail and faces second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault. He was slated to appear in court Wednesday afternoon.
The shooting at Pringle Plaza Parkade came just days after Salem community members endured a rash of shootings within a single day in three different areas of the city. The shooting also happened a couple of days before a Community Violence Reduction Initiative listening session was held. A similar community meeting to address gun violence happened in March.
“This type of violence will not be tolerated in our community, and offenders will be held accountable,” Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack said in a statement. “I also want to highlight the tenacity of our investigators who work diligently to bring criminal cases to resolution. And I want to recognize the strong partnerships with our regional law enforcement agencies who share in our commitment to violence reduction.”
An effort also went underway in late June between local law enforcement and the FBI to reduce violence in young adults and teens in Salem.