Gunman on the Loose After Shooting West Salem Woman

This case is very unusual due to the apparent randomness and the willingness of the suspect to shoot so quickly.

(SALEM) - Last night about 9:00 PM a 32-year-old woman was shot during a robbery in front of her West Salem Home. She was transported to Salem Hospital where she underwent surgery for a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The shooting and robbery occurred in the 500 block of Gerth St N.W. The suspect is described as a white male, late teens to early 20's, 5'7"-5'11", with a thin to medium build. He was wearing a dark hooded jacket with the hood up and some type of cloth covering the lower part of his face. He was armed with an unknown caliber handgun. He was last seen running southbound on Gerth St. The victim was preparing to go away for the weekend and was loading some items into her car, which was parked in her driveway. She heard a voice behind her demand her purse. She thought it was a joke at first and turned to face the suspect.

The suspect demanded the purse a second time, which she refused, at which point he shot her. The victim went to a neighbor's, who called 911. She was transported to Salem Hospital by ambulance. Some of the contents of the victim's purse were found along the sidewalk, south along Gerth St. Officers searched the area on foot and with a K-9 but were unable to locate the suspect. This case is very unusual due to the apparent randomness and the willingness of the suspect to shoot so quickly. Anyone with information about this case should contact Detective Jamie Vasas 503-588-6050 ext 7153.