Man accused of shooting Salem police officer had history of domestic violence, meth use

The suspect arrested for allegedly shooting and injuring a Salem police officer had a more than decade-long history of domestic violence assault convictions and methamphetamine use. 

Prosecutors said the suspected shooter, Jaime Lee Jimenez, 38, is a threat to public safety and shown persistent involvement in crime. 

During his arraignment Thursday afternoon, Judge Jennifer Gardiner ordered that he be held without bail, deeming him a flight risk and a risk to public safety. 

He is facing charges of attempted aggravated murder, second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and illegal possession of a firearm by a felon. 

Officer survives:Tourniquet, ballistic vest save life of veteran Salem Police officer

Jimenez had an active warrant out for his arrest when a Salem police officer patrolling the neighborhood near Highland Elementary School pulled him over just after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

After Jimenez's passenger exited the minivan, Officer Michelle Pratt requested a second unit. Jimenez then allegedly shot Pratt at close range, striking her three times. 

He then sped away, abandoned his van and disappeared, triggering an hours-long manhunt and eventual standoff. 

After more than four hours of K-9 searching, Salem Police and other law enforcement agencies suspended their tactical search for the suspect and turned the crime scenes over to detectives.

Salem detectives then took over and tracked Jimenez to an apartment complex at 2560 Broadway St. NE and negotiated with him via megaphone and phone for about an hour. 

According to a probable cause statement, Jimenez met with his girlfriend Amanda Cayetano, 35, of Salem, after the shooting. 

The pair fled to a man's apartment. The man later told detectives he left the apartment and contacted police, even though Cayetano told him not to. 

Jimenez and Cayetano hid in the apartment and refused to come out. 

The shooting investigation closed down nearby streets and Highland Elementary Wednesday. 

Eventually, Jimenez and Cayetano exited the apartment. 

By 8:40 a.m. — just over 12 hours after shots were first fired — Jimenez was handcuffed and taken into custody.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Pratt radioed for help. 

She was struck by three shots to her leg, arm and ballistic vest. She applied a tourniquet to her leg and was transported to Salem Hospital.

Pratt was released early the next morning and is recuperating at home. 

Support local journalism: Get the latest on crime and criminal justice news. Become a Statesman Journal subscriber and get unlimited digital access to stories that matter.

Suspect has long criminal history

The violent encounter was not Jimenez's first time interacting with Salem police.

Court records show Jimenez had a criminal history stretching back to 2002, when he was convicted of harassment and first-degree criminal trespass.

A string of arrests and convictions followed, including a 2002 conviction on two counts of fourth-degree domestic violence assault, a 2004 conviction for menacing, and convictions in 2008, 2010 and 2012 for methamphetamine possession.

He was arrested for strangling a Salem woman in 2017, but he was acquitted by a Polk County jury. 

Jimenez was accused of strangling and assaulting the same woman in December 2018. A grand jury indicted him on three counts of fourth-degree assault and one count of strangulation constituting domestic violence, all Class C felonies. 

A warrant was issued for his arrest on April 16. 

Initially identified as living in Woodburn, Jimenez has been a longtime Salem resident. Court records and the warrant list a north Salem address less than a mile from where the shooting took place. 

Woman also arrested, charged

Cayetano was arrested for hindering prosecution.

She and Jimenez were taken to Marion County jail. According to police records, Cayetano was also wanted for stealing a car belonging to her ex-husband. 

The car was found near the apartment complex where she and Jimenez were arrested. 

She was lodged on charges of hindering prosecution and vehicle theft. 

She was previously convicted of second-degree child neglect and second-degree theft in Marion County, according to court records. 

After prosecutor Matthew Kemmy said Cayetano was a flight risk, Gardiner set her bail at $100,000.

She and Jimenez were ordered to have no further contact. 

Murder case:Oregon appeals ruling to release or retry Frank Gable; victim's family objects

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodwort@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth