In the early morning hours of January 25, 2024, the life of 23-year-old Jesus Ramos-Torres of Salem, Oregon, was tragically cut short. A Marion County Sheriff's Office deputy, responding to a report of gunfire around 1:30 a.m., discovered a vehicle blocking the roadway in the 1100 block of Cordon Road SE. Inside was Ramos-Torres, who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound. The Salem Police Department quickly took over the investigation, classifying the death as a homicide.
Cordon Road was closed for approximately six hours as detectives began their work.
In the days that followed, the Salem Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit appealed to the public for information. Investigators released a photograph of Ramos-Torres and his silver 2017 Lexus IS 350 F Sport, hoping to learn more about his whereabouts on the evening of January 24th and the early morning of his death. They urged anyone who had interacted with him or had any relevant information to come forward.
The investigation led to a significant development on February 22, 2024, with the arrest of 21-year-old Ismael Ventura-Arellano. He was arraigned on charges of second-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the death of Ramos-Torres. The Salem Police Department acknowledged the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in the investigation.
Further details emerged regarding the circumstances of the shooting, which was described as a road rage incident. On the night of the shooting, Ventura-Arellano was driving with his girlfriend, two other adults, and a toddler. An encounter on the road between Ventura-Arellano and Ramos-Torres escalated as they both turned onto Cordon Road. After an attempt to pass was unsuccessful, Ramos-Torres reportedly stopped his vehicle and made a gesture towards Ventura-Arellano. In response, prosecutors stated that Ventura-Arellano used his girlfriend's gun to shoot into Ramos-Torres's car, striking and killing him. In October 2025, Ismael E. Ventura-Arellano, then 23, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and felon in possession of a firearm. He was subsequently sentenced to 15 years in prison.
