This article was updated Thursday at 4:50 p.m.
One person was killed and two others were injured after a shooting was reported at Bush Meadows Park around 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Salem police said.
South Salem High School, about three blocks south of where the shooting was reported, was placed on lockdown but later lifted. All afternoon activities will be cancelled.
McKinley Elementary School went into lockdown at the same time as South and released students at 2:20 p.m. Montessori Discovery Center, located at 1055 Electric Avenue SE, also went into lockdown, which was later lifted.
Salem-Keizer Public Schools said in an email that all students and staff are safe.
“To be clear, there has never been an active shooter presence on our campus,” South Salem Principal Tara Romina said in an update to families. ” he said.
Salem Health, located across the street on the north side of Busch Park, remains on lockdown.
The shooting occurred a day after Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack and Mayor Chris Hoy hosted a community meeting Wednesday night to launch a yearlong effort to reduce mass shootings in the city. According to the 2023 report, mass shootings in Salem have increased by 100% since 2018.
Police first responded to the area of High Street and Leffel Street SE at 1:45 p.m.
A portion of the park known as Upper Rufell remains closed, police said. People living around the park should avoid the area as police search for the suspect.
Police said officers found three male victims with gunshot wounds, one of whom died. The other two, both juveniles, were taken to Salem Health, police said. Their status is unknown.
Two male teenagers were seen handcuffed next to police on Mission Street SE.
The initial call to the 911 dispatch center reported that the boy was “in possession of a gun and fired approximately 15 shots.” Witnesses told police that “a group of 10 to 12 people fled north through the park toward Mission Street.”
Officers could be heard on the scanner shouting “water on the park” and advising others arriving at the scene to disperse.
There appeared to be a disturbance at South Salem High School, with two teenagers initially reported as witnesses and later as possible suspects. One was wearing the same color clothing as the other suspect and matched his description.
One of the victims transported had gunshot wounds to the back and shoulder, according to scanner traffic.
Following the shooting, officers searched the neighborhood looking for witnesses and camera footage. Troopers from Salem Police and Oregon State Police remained at the scene for several hours.
Just a few blocks from downtown, Busch's Pasture Park offers 90.5 acres of walking and running trails, wooded areas, and open meadows. The park is home to a museum, art gallery, and the only official soap box derby track this side of the Mississippi River.
Oregon State Police and the Marion County Sheriff's Office are also investigating.
No further information has been released.
This story will be updated.
For questions, comments or news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow her on Twitter. @wm Woodworth.
