Salem, OR. — Salem Police detectives arrested two Salem residents Wednesday in connection with a November 11 shooting that left a man injured, authorities said.
The incident occurred near Broadway and Locust Streets NE, where officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire. Witnesses reported seeing vehicles flee the area shortly after the shots were fired. A short time later, a 39-year-old Salem man was dropped off at Salem Hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Detectives from the Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Strategic Investigations Unit, launched an investigation that led to the issuance of two search warrants.
On December 17 at approximately 3:00 p.m., Salem SWAT served a search warrant at a residence on Beechwood Court S. Freedom Butler, 24, of Salem, was taken into custody and charged with Assault in the First Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Several individuals were detained during the operation.
One of those detained, Austin Myers, 37, of Salem, was arrested on unrelated charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Controlled Substance — Methamphetamine.
Later that afternoon, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Salem SWAT served a second search warrant at an apartment on Liberty Street NE. Dakota Butler-Kota, 25, of Salem, surrendered without incident and was arrested on charges of Assault in the First Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Detectives seized four firearms during the course of the investigation. Butler, Myers, and Butler-Kota were all transported to the Marion County Jail and lodged on their respective charges.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be filed.
The arrests were made as part of Salem Police Department’s Community Violence Reduction Initiative. Officials noted that more than 270 firearms have been seized this year in connection with criminal investigations, reflecting the department’s continued efforts to reduce gun violence and improve public safety.
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