Ryan Ray Muniz, a 31-year-old White/Caucasian male, was fatally shot on September 14, 2021, while at work in a residential backyard in West Salem, Oregon. The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. at a home located at 3403 Belvedere Street NW. Muniz was an employee of R & R Tree Service and was on the job with his co-worker when the tragedy unfolded.
He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The individual responsible for the shooting was identified as Jonathan Alexis Gonzales-Salcido, a 24-year-old co-worker of Muniz. Immediately following the shooting, Gonzales-Salcido fled the scene on foot. In an apparent attempt to deceive law enforcement, he was later discovered by Polk County deputies pushing a lawnmower down a nearby street. His attempt to blend in was unsuccessful, and he was promptly taken into custody.
Following his arrest, Gonzales-Salcido was charged with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The investigation into the incident did not uncover a clear motive for the shooting. Despite the lack of a known motive, the case proceeded to trial. In November 2022, a jury found Jonathan Gonzales-Salcido guilty of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
