Two Salem Teens Arrested For Shooting Cow For Meat

The teens told deputies that they went to the farm with the intent of killing the cow and that they wanted the meat.

(SALEM) - On Wednesday, November 8th, Marion County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a call from Donald Jones, a farmer who lives at 6611 Liberty Rd S, south of Salem.

Jones told deputies that someone had killed one of his cows and had cut the cow up and had taken a portion of the cow’s body.

When deputies arrived, they found that the cow had apparently been shot and cut apart with two steak knives that were still at the scene.

The incident likely happened between 11:30 PM on Tuesday and 1:00 AM on Wednesday said Sheriff's spokesman Kevin Rau.

The investigating deputies received information later in the day that a young man, later identified as 18-year-old Derek Becker, was seen throwing what appeared to be the remains of a large animal’s leg in the dumpster at the apartment complex where he lives, 1321 Peace St SE, Salem.

It appears that the cow was shot with a 22 rifle owned by one of the teens involved.

Deputies went to the Becker’s apartment and found meat from the cow in the refrigerator there.

Becker and a 16-year-old female, also of Salem, who participated in the slaughter of the cow, were arrested.

Both were charged with 1st Degree Theft, 1st Degree Trespass, 1st Degree Animal Abuse and 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief. Mr. Becker was taken to the Marion County Jail where was booked and released.

The 16-year-old was taken to Marion County Juvenile Detention and later released.

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betcha know me... February 28, 2007 12:06 pm (Pacific time)

i saw the life of Derek Becker with a front row seat. The guy obviously has some mental problems that arent being taken care of. I have mental problems too, its just i have and am in the process of fixing them. Dereks problem is a lack of responsibility, morals, values, good parents, and smart choices. Of course some of these things could come from an excessive drinking and smoking problem. The guy needs help, and no one can help him. its just to bad he couldnt have learned and grown up sooner. now it might be too late...

Anonymous December 13, 2006 6:49 pm (Pacific time)

Derek is just lost. I know its not an excuse but he doesnt have any direction in his life. As you can see. Derek needs to stop messing up and get his life in order! Instead of doing stuff like this he should be showing his younger brothers the right things to do. Derek if you read this, you need to stop being stupid and start looking out for Jordan and Jake who need you.

unknown December 13, 2006 4:06 pm (Pacific time)

derek is not so poor that he needs to shoot someones cow and he has a job and lives with his mom he has enough money for at least some food he is just dumb !!!!!!!!!

Henry Ruark November 19, 2006 7:21 pm (Pacific time)

Karen et al: Too many in that end of pool, right...but realistially, problem is one of attitude and appreciation rather than simple I.Q. We need changes in society to catch problems early-on and do much more realistically.

Karen November 19, 2006 4:08 pm (Pacific time)

What a dumb idiot. Did he think that he could just go, slaughter someone's livestock, and think that no one would care?! Geez, I mean how stupid do you have to be?! I feel no sympathy whatsoever towards him or that other teen idiot. If they were starving at all, they could have gone elsewhere for a meal without harming any animal. Makes you wonder just how many people are swimming in the shallow end of the IQ pool. -.-

Albert Marnell November 18, 2006 7:07 pm (Pacific time)

Dear Neighbor, Thanks for clearing things up. At least out of court. The truth that you witness to does not make the reality of hunger in America any less real. Ironically, even though I believe you, the comments made here do tell of another reality in our country. But thank you for speaking up, it makes the situation even more interesting.

Neighbor November 18, 2006 4:36 pm (Pacific time)

I am a neighbor of Derek, and anyone interested should know that he does these things out of stupidity, not need. He used to parade up and down the road shooting at anything, came over to our house and was shooting birds in OUR trees, and almost shot me in the head one day with a bb gun. This is not a case of poor Salem people without food. This a boy with no concept of right or wrong.

Henry Ruark November 18, 2006 3:16 am (Pacific time)

Gary: Believe "abuse" stems from method used to kill. "Animal slaughter" for food-chain is by approved method under regulation, often requiring sanitary restriction as safeguard, too. Anyone with later knowledge ? Mine old reporter's note...

Gary November 17, 2006 1:13 pm (Pacific time)

its a shame they felt they had to resort to such measures so they could eat.I dont understant the charge of "1st degree animal abuse" Just what do they think the farmer was goin to do with the cow? so do we charge everyone who raises their own beef with animal abuse when they decide to butcher?

Henry Ruark November 17, 2006 9:30 am (Pacific time)

Al et al: Re Revolution, am on record re that for a long time...the rest you write is mostly right on historically --problem is our own attitudes and, yes, self-understandings and self-control...which is why demo-dialog is one major peaceful answer properly used.

Albert Marnell November 17, 2006 3:37 am (Pacific time)

Hank, Thirty years ago this would not have received any attention. Let me think.......All of the money used for the occupation of Iraq could have bought every family in the United States alot of groceries. The push for the control of the world's oil supplies has been discussed for decades by many presidents....just not publicly. I say step one after abolishing the Federal Reserve System would be to name the inner circle of the Illuminati and put them in jail for life after you confiscate their assets and eliminate their job description......manipulation and conspiracy for profit from the misery of the masses. That is about the best I can do for now without obsessing. If I were in charge I would pull the curtain from all the fake wizards. It amazes me that governments have gone to the likes of the Rothchilds to help finance war. Where in the hell did the Rothchilds or Rockefellers get their money from? Old man Rockefeller (Mr. 10cent tip Standard Oil was also involved in the drug trade). I would not be surprised if the descendents still are not. The Kennedy money came from bootlegging and God knows what. Organized crime has always worked with the government to acheive things like assasinations. Less government means more money for the masses. How about a revolution?

meatrix fan November 17, 2006 2:43 am (Pacific time)

Will they charge him with cruelty to animals? LOL

Henry Ruark November 17, 2006 12:08 am (Pacific time)

Al et al: Agree re your first sentence. NOW what do we do to bring about those happy consequences ?

Donna November 16, 2006 10:36 pm (Pacific time)

Wow. This reminds me of the time I came home and found one of my turtles eating a baby bird that fell from the bird house. Wow...I bet the meat was really good and fresh though. Did he at least get to keep the meat?

Albert Marnell November 16, 2006 10:12 pm (Pacific time)

As long as we outsource jobs and allow the standard of living to fall for the majority, you will see more of these seemingly strange random happenings. There are areas of the country with alot of unwanted Canandian Geese. Although in this case the cow was property of another, I am sure that many geese have disappeared and have become part of the food budget for some. I have met people that lived through the war in Europe and many were reduced to eating rats, grass or anything that moved. Food is extremely expensive today when compared to incomes. What they did was against the law but I do not see it as any different than when my English Racer was stolen out of my garage in 1971. We didn't even bother with the police and I saw the young man make the get-a-way. This is not that big of a deal. Lack of respectable jobs and healthcare is a big deal. This guy probably needs some kind of mental health services.

C'itall November 16, 2006 5:03 pm (Pacific time)

How desparate would they have to be? How hungry? Yes, and young and dumb too. We've all seen the facts, one food box per poverty-stricken family per month. I bet a lot of people have thought of doing the same thing. Can't Salem feed it's people?

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Two Salem Teens Arrested For Shooting Cow For Meat

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