Man arrested for August shooting
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, September 29th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
PENDLETON – Joseph Quintana Jr., 18, of Pendleton has been arrested in Washington state on a warrant for attempted murder in the shooting of David G. Salazar, 37 on August 13 at Southwest Frazer Avenue and Southwest Fourth Street.
Quintana became a suspect based on Salazar’s statement and evidence located at the scene.
The following is a news release from the Pendleton Police Department:
On Friday, August 13, 2021 at 8:03 p.m., Pendleton Police Department personnel responded to numerous 911 reports of a shooting in the area of SW Emigrant Avenue and SW 4th Street. On arrival, officers were directed to an adult male with a single gunshot wound to his abdomen. The victim, David G. SALAZAR, a 37-year-old Pendleton resident was able to provide officers with a statement. Based on the information provided and from evidence at the scene, officers learned the following:
David SALAZAR was operating his vehicle eastbound on SW Frazier Avenue in the area of SW 4th Street. He passed two individuals who were walking on the North sidewalk on SW Frazier Avenue. The two individuals began calling out to SALAZAR and making gestures at him as he passed by. SALAZAR circled the block to talk to the two unknown individuals. The two individuals approached SALAZAR’s stopped vehicle, with one of the individuals producing a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at SALAZAR. Both individuals then attempt to assault SALAZAR by punching at him through the open driver’s side window. SALAZAR drove away from the two suspects and parked in the parking lot of Western Auto to phone the police. As he is trying to dial 911, one of the suspects begins running at SALAZAR’s parked vehicle and fires several rounds at SALAZAR striking him once in the abdomen. It is important to note that SALAZAR did not know the two individuals and just wanted to find out what they were yelling at him for.
David SALAZAR was transported to St. Anthony Hospital where he was treated for the gunshot wound to his abdomen. David SALAZAR has since made a full recovery. Officers were able to locate video surveillance footage from a nearby business that captured the incident. Officers were able to identify the suspect who fired the handgun as 18-year-old Pendleton resident Joseph R. QUINTANA Jr. Officers attempted to locate QUINTANA Jr., but based on information received during the investigation it was believed that he fled the State of Oregon.
On August 19, 2021, information related to this case was presented to the Umatilla County Grand Jury. Following the Grand Jury hearing, a secret indictment arrest warrant was issued for Joseph R. QUINTANA Jr. for Attempted Murder, Assault in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Recklessly Endangering Another Person. Pendleton Police Department Detectives began working with out of state law enforcement partners in an effort to locate Joseph QUINTANA Jr.
On September 28, 2021 at about 7:00 p.m., the Pendleton Police Department was advised that Joseph R. Quintana Jr. was located and arrested in Grandview, Washington. Detectives with the Pendleton Police Department had been in contact with the Grandview Police Department, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Department and their area Violent Offender Task Force regarding a possible location of Joseph Quintana Jr. They were able to locate Joseph R. QUINTANA Jr. near an apartment complex and after a short foot pursuit, which included the deployment of a Patrol K9, were able to take Joseph R. QUINTANA Jr. into custody. It was reported that Joseph R. QUINTANA Jr. was in possession of a handgun at the time of his arrest. The Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office was notified of the arrest and will begin the extradition process so that Joseph R. Quintana Jr. can be brought back to Pendleton to face charges associated with this case. The Pendleton Police Department would like to thank all of the law enforcement agencies that participated in the location and apprehension of the suspect in this case.
