SALEM, Ore. — A 16-year-old boy is facing an attempted murder charge following a shooting in downtown Salem that left one man seriously injured Monday afternoon, according to Salem police.
Police said the suspect shot the 20-year-old victim during an argument that involved several people at the Cherriots Transit Mall on High and Court Street Northeast, a few blocks west of the Capitol building, around 2:45 p.m.
The victim was taken to Salem Health with a gunshot wound that appeared life-threatening, police said.
Witnesses provided officers with a description of those involved and several people were detained shortly after the shooting.
The 16-year-old was identified as the shooter and arrested on charges of attempted murder and unlawful use of a weapon, police said.
During the dispute, a 14-year-old boy allegedly brandished a knife and was later taken into custody on charges of menacing and unlawful use of a weapon.
Both suspects are being held at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center. Their names will not be released because they are minors, police said.
The streets and adjacent blocks that surround the transit mall were blocked off for about two hours as detectives conducted their investigation.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Salem Police tip line at 503-588-8477.
