Whitney M. Woodworth

Statesman Journal

A 20-year-old man was shot and killed Monday morning during an apparent break-in at a Northeast Salem home, Salem police said.

Anthony "Tony" Brown, 20, and a 17-year-old boy from Keizer were burglarizing a home in the 1500 block of Nebraska Avenue NE about 8 a.m. when the home's resident shot Brown, police said. An autopsy showed that Brown died from gunshot wounds.

The 17-year-old was arrested on burglary charges. No other charges have been made, and police declined to identify anyone else involved in the case.

The shooting shocked residents of the tree-lined neighborhood full of historic homes, blooming gardens and several schools.

On Monday afternoon, neighbors stood in the shade under a cluster of trees near the house, trying to piece together the events of the morning. Matt Vande Burgt said he heard a series of shots around 8 a.m. as he was getting ready for the day. The gunfire was jarring in his "incredibly quiet neighborhood," he said.

Other neighbors agreed.

"I've lived here for 48 years, and it's pretty peaceful," Cynthia Hance said. "I never thought this would happen in our neighborhood."

Nakaya Baughman awoke with a start to the sound of the last two shots. She attended North Salem High School and decided to move nearby after graduation.

Baughman said the neighborhood seems calm and safe. She occasionally exchanged hellos with the some of the occupants of the home where the shooting occurred, but none of the neighbors knew them by name.

A lot of teenagers and young adults passed through the home during the day and at night. Baughman said loud music blared from the house some late nights, and she spotted young children playing in the front yard.

Other neighbors said the house was occupied by renters.

Email wmwoodwort@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth

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