🌱 Grand Jury Clears Trooper For I-5 Shooting + 3 Arrested For Guns

Hello, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning with all the most important things happening these days in Salem.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Cloudy, a shower; warmer. High: 59 Low: 46.
• Saturday: Considerable cloudiness. High: 68 Low: 51.

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Here are the top three stories in Salem today:

1. A Marion County Grand Jury cleared Oregon State Police Trooper Andrew Tuttle of any wrongdoing in the Apr. 10 shooting of 31-year-old Felipe Amezcua Manzo on I-5 in Salem. the jury heard testimony from 12 witnesses, including the Salem Police Department who led the investigation. After reviewing the testimony, multiple video exhibits, photographs, scene diagrams, dispatch recordings, ballistic information, and autopsy findings, the jury unanimously found that Trooper Tuttle was justified in his use of deadly physical force. (Salem Reporter)
2. A Salem police officer initiated a traffic stop after spotting a stolen vehicle on Monday night, Apr. 17, near the area of Broadway and Market Streets. The officer discovered a female driver and two male occupants in the minivan with a shotgun, a handgun, a supply of ammunition, and a suspicious device. Police arrested 25-year-old Sean Ethan Burris for unlawful possession of a firearm and prohibited possession of a firearm, 27-year-old Randi Renee Ramsey for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and 52-year-old David Byron Wood outstanding parole violation warrant. (Salem Police Department via Facebook)
3. According to FBI data, crime in Oregon's largest cities has decreased by 8.8 percent in violent crime and 2.6 percent in property crime from 2021-2022. But not in Salem, where violent crime has increased by three percent last year. Police Chief Trevor Womack said the data looks different when you factor in population, "You want to look at crimes per 1,000 people. When you factor in the population, the trend line is much flatter. So, you still see the swings over the years but, long term, over a 15-year period, much more of a flat type crime rate." (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

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Today and tomorrow in Salem:

Friday, April 21

• Hidden Histories: Ancient Art From The Permanent Collections At Study Gallery, Hallie Ford Museum Of Art (12:00 PM)

Saturday, April 22

• Makeup & Mimosas Drag Brunch At Infinity Room (1:00 PM)
• Da Salem Hawaiian Market & Trivia At Venti's Downtown (2:00 PM)
• Live Ukulele Music With Dylan Santiago Band At Venti's Cafe + Beer Vault (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Due to a government website internet outage on Tuesday night, Apr. 18, the Oregon Department of Revenue has extended the tax deadline. The grace period will extend until today, Apr. 21, at 12 a.m. There will be no late penalties or interest on taxes received by 12 a.m. Friday. (Salem Reporter)
• Salem Public Library is hiring for a Teen Summer Internship! Apply and find more information here. (Salem Public Library (Salem, OR) via Facebook)
• Salem Housing Authority and the Salem City Council will meet on Monday, Apr. 24, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers to discuss airport fees, honoring firefighters, and Asian Pacific Americans. To view the meeting in English and ASL, click here and to view the meeting in Spanish, click here. (City of Salem via Twitter)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. I'll be back in your inbox soon with a new update!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!