Salem, Oregon – Authorities have identified the victim of a tragic shooting at Bush’s Pasture Park as 16-year-old Jose Vasquez-Valenzuela. He was one of three teenage boys shot in the park, with the two surviving victims still hospitalized.
Police have not made any arrests in connection to the shooting, which occurred when gunfire erupted between two large groups of juveniles at the park. While Vasquez-Valenzuela tragically died at the scene, the two other victims, Damien Esquivel-Soto, 15, and an unnamed 16-year-old boy, were taken to Salem Hospital for treatment. The older boy was later transferred to a hospital in the Portland area for further care.
In a departure from their usual practice, Salem police opted to identify the minor victims involved in the shooting. The incident led to the closure of the Upper Leffelle area of the park for over six hours and prompted lockdowns at the hospital and nearby South Salem High School as a precautionary measure.
School principal Tara Romine clarified that the lockdown at South Salem High School was due to reports that individuals linked to the shooting may have entered the campus, emphasizing that there was no active shooter situation or harm to students or staff. Furthermore, district officials did not immediately disclose whether the victims were current students or specify the school they attended.
Subsequent to the shooting, local schools, including South Salem High School, received online threats, prompting the Salem-Keizer School District to deploy additional security personnel to certain schools. Salem police also responded to reports of online threats targeting South Salem High School.
As investigations continue into the shooting incident, Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack emphasized the importance of holding the perpetrators accountable and providing justice to the victims and their families. Womack also highlighted the need for collaborative efforts with the community to establish effective intervention and prevention strategies to address the escalating violence in the area.
A fundraising campaign was initiated to support Vasquez-Valenzuela’s funeral expenses, with donations exceeding $3,000 as of Friday. The campaign’s goal is set at $25,000, with contributions pouring in to assist the victim’s family during this difficult time.