Murderer Robert Davis Sentenced to Life in Prison

The deadly shooting was related to a gang dispute.

Robert Gordon Davis was captured 5 days after the shooting. Photo: Marion County Sheriff's Office

(SALEM, Ore.) - At sentencing Tuesday morning before the honorable Judge Thomas Hart, 32-year old Robert Gordon Davis was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 35 years before he is eligible for parole.

Davis previously entered pleas of guilty to Murder with a Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person on April 25, 2016.

To reach the 35-year sentence, which is greater than the 25-year minimum, the judge found that the defendant was persistently involved in similar crimes based on his previous convictions for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Assault IV, Attempt Assault IV, Menacing, Resisting Arrest, Attempt Assault of a Public Safety Officer, and Strangulation.

This murder charge stemmed from a shooting on May 29, 2015 at 3184 Surfwood Dr NE, Salem, that caused the death of 24-year-old Jose Garcia-Roldan.

Investigators with the Marion County Sheriff's Office determined that the defendant was standing in front of the Surfwood residence when he shot six times at the victim, who was standing in his doorway.

One shot struck the victim and the other five hit the house. The victim was transported to Salem Hospital where he remained on life support for 15 days.

Investigators also determined that two of the bullets that struck the building penetrated the exterior walls and passed through the living room.

There were four persons inside that living room at the time of the shooting. This included: two friends of the victim, who were then 16 and 17 years old, as well as the victim's 23-year-old wife and their 6-month-old child.

The investigation revealed that both the defendant and the victim were involved in gangs and the shooting was related to a gang dispute.

The defendant was captured five days after the shooting by the Marion County Sheriff's Office with the assistance of the Salem Police Department Gang Enforcement Unit.