Hermiston shooting makes 7 major crimes in 11 weeks in Umatilla Co.
HERMISTON -- KEPR is continuing to follow the shooting in Hermiston we first told you about last night. 22-year old Salvador Valencia was killed in his SUV outside the "Gotta Stop" mini-mart on West Highland.
Police haven't made any arrests. But KEPR found this murder is far from an isolated incident on crime in Umatilla County. KEPR dug deeper to find out what's behind the recent outbreak of trouble. Steve Cline has lived in Hermiston for 46 years and didn't think twice when walking down the road Monday night.
Steve explains, "Went down to the store and went, 'Whoa, a lot of police.'"
Police, deputies, troopers and detectives are all working together to find more people who might have seen what happened at the gas station. And, of course, they want to find those responsible for the murder of Salvadora Valencia.
"It's a full team call out," says Dan Primus Umatilla County's District Attorney.
Last night's shooting marks the seventh major crime here in Umatilla county in just eleven weeks. Officers tell me it feels like they haven't been home in months and it doesn't look like there's an end in sight.
The county's Sheriff says, "I would be very surprised if there's not some type of retaliation."
Although police have yet to confirm this shooting was gang-related, the Umatilla County Sheriff isn't holding back.
"It's clearly gang-related. No doubt in anybody's mind," the Sheriff tells KEPR.
The Sheriff says things have changed and danger has increased for his community. He says, "Years ago, in Umatilla County, you used to be able to go on vacation for 2 weeks and not have to worry about somebody breaking in... Not the case anymore."
But a change in society isn't gonna change the way neighbors like Steve live their life. "You coulda been down here at safeway, or in Seattle, I'm not gonna live my life in fear and not go somewhere."
Police are still going through the mini-mart's surveillance video to identify suspects and witnesses. They do know there were multiple shots coming from both sides of the parking lot, ending with the one fatality.
Police haven't made any arrests. But KEPR found this murder is far from an isolated incident on crime in Umatilla County. KEPR dug deeper to find out what's behind the recent outbreak of trouble. Steve Cline has lived in Hermiston for 46 years and didn't think twice when walking down the road Monday night.
Steve explains, "Went down to the store and went, 'Whoa, a lot of police.'"
Police, deputies, troopers and detectives are all working together to find more people who might have seen what happened at the gas station. And, of course, they want to find those responsible for the murder of Salvadora Valencia.
"It's a full team call out," says Dan Primus Umatilla County's District Attorney.
Last night's shooting marks the seventh major crime here in Umatilla county in just eleven weeks. Officers tell me it feels like they haven't been home in months and it doesn't look like there's an end in sight.
The county's Sheriff says, "I would be very surprised if there's not some type of retaliation."
Although police have yet to confirm this shooting was gang-related, the Umatilla County Sheriff isn't holding back.
"It's clearly gang-related. No doubt in anybody's mind," the Sheriff tells KEPR.
The Sheriff says things have changed and danger has increased for his community. He says, "Years ago, in Umatilla County, you used to be able to go on vacation for 2 weeks and not have to worry about somebody breaking in... Not the case anymore."
But a change in society isn't gonna change the way neighbors like Steve live their life. "You coulda been down here at safeway, or in Seattle, I'm not gonna live my life in fear and not go somewhere."
Police are still going through the mini-mart's surveillance video to identify suspects and witnesses. They do know there were multiple shots coming from both sides of the parking lot, ending with the one fatality.
More to Explore
Learn about changes coming to commenting