In the early morning hours of August 4, 2019, in Salem, Oregon, a family gathering turned into a scene of violence that claimed the life of 24-year-old Hispanic male Francisco Daniel Torres Perez. Known to his loved ones as "Danny," he was a construction rigger and a father to two young children. The tragic event unfolded at a residence on the 400 block of 22nd Street Northeast, where a dispute between Torres Perez and his stepfather escalated with fatal consequences.
The altercation
occurred around 3:20 a.m. following a party for Torres Perez's mother. Neighbors reported hearing arguing and the sound of breaking glass prior to a gunshot. In the midst of the conflict, Francisco Torres Perez was shot in the chest by his stepfather. He was rushed to Salem Hospital, but ultimately succumbed to the single gunshot wound. Family members remember him as an outgoing and heartwarming person who was deeply loved. An obituary stated he gave his life to protect his mother and younger siblings.
The suspect in the shooting was identified as Alberto Medina-Cortes, who was 43 years old at the time. Medina-Cortes was promptly taken into custody by the Salem police at the scene of the shooting. He was subsequently charged with the murder of his stepson. The incident was described as a domestic altercation, and authorities did not seek any other suspects in connection with the case. The death of Torres Perez was one of several violent incidents in Salem around that time, but his case was distinct and not connected to the others.
