Hillsboro police have taken a man into custody in connection with the shooting death of a driver discovered in a vehicle this past Saturday. As reported by KOIN, the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Oscar Ruiz-Santiago, faces charges that include second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. He was also charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon and a parole violation.
Officers were originally dispatched to respond to a report of a disturbance involving a weapon near SE Tualatin Valley Highway and SE 18th Avenue. The victim, identified in court records as 41-year-old Isaias Valverde-Martinez, was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound, seated in his car. Despite a witness believing they saw the suspect's car calmly evade a police roadblock, KPTV relays that the Hillsboro police have disputed this claim.
Following the incident, authorities conducted a search and later arrested Ruiz-Santiago. In a complex turn of events, he was found after attempting to leave a second residence near NE 53rd Avenue and NE Hidden Creek Drive, according to Hillsboro police. The arrest occurred after a stand-off at South Meadows Middle School where the suspect was deemed non-compliant before being subdued using a taser.
Local residents have expressed concern over the incident, particularly with its proximity to a school. In a statement obtained by KPTV, witness Jaden Peterson expressed that the community "deserves more information surrounding the chain of events" that occurred. "It could've escalated way more," he said. "Anybody could’ve been shot at this school... anything could’ve happened. We don’t know what this guy is capable of."
Authorities have assured that there is no ongoing threat to the community in the wake of the arrest. Those with additional information concerning the case have been urged to contact the Hillsboro Police Department. The reference for the case is #25-25527, as per KATU. Ruiz-Santiago, who made his initial court appearance on Monday, is scheduled for his next court date on January 6.
