Suspect arrested in South Salem shooting

Gordon Friedman | Statesman Journal

More than a week after a burglary ended with a homeowner shot, an elementary school on lockdown and a suspect on the loose, police have made an arrest.

Uriel Osornio Jr., 27, was arrested by Salem police Monday morning and charged with first-degree attempted aggravated murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, first-degree theft and first-degree assault. Police say more charges are expected to be filed.

On Dec. 10, police were notified of a shooting in South Salem. A 64-year-old resident arrived home to find a burglar in his house. According to police documents, the burglar stole a gun from the homeowner and held him at gunpoint. When the homeowner tried to defend himself, the burglar shot him in the upper left side and fled.

Later that day, the burglar broke into another nearby home. Police documents say he showered at this second home and stole items worth more than $1,000 before fleeing again. The Salem police SWAT team closed several streets and used dogs and a surveillance drone to search the area. The search went on for several hours, but the suspect couldn't be found.

Lt. Dave Okada of the Salem Police Department said detectives identified Osornio as the suspect by examining forensic evidence at the crime scenes and following leads. Okada said he couldn't be specific about what evidence or leads police investigated, since the case is open.

Osornio has previously been convicted of possession of cocaine and rioting in separate Marion County cases.

gfriedman2@statesmanjournal.com, (503) 399-6653, on Twitter @gordonrfriedman or Facebook.com/gordonrfriedman.