Salem man shot, killed in Walmart parking lot
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SALEM, Ore. -- Detectives from the Salem Police Department are investigating a fatal shooting that happened just before 6 a.m. Monday in a Walmart parking lot, and police say the shooter is still on the loose.
The incident happened at the Walmart in the 1900 block of Turner Road Southeast just before 6 a.m. Monday. The victim was identified as Salem's Bryan John Lee Knorr, 28.
Police said Knorr had been inside the store shopping. When he left the store he made it to the handicap parking spots in front of the store before he was confronted by the gunman. The two exchanged words briefly before the shooter opened fired.
Knorr died later at Salem Hospital.
KATU News learned Knorr got a ride to the store with someone else.
Police interviewed a number of witnesses who were at the store, which is open 24 hours a day. They were also reviewing surveillance video from a number of cameras outside the store.
Authorities said evidence they have so far is that the shooter may have known the victim; therefore, they don't believe the public is in any immediate danger even though that gunman hasn't been captured yet.
Police said they're looking for the vehicle associated with the shooting -- a gold or tan Honda SUV, which is similar to a CRV, which has a spare tire mounted in the rear. The vehicle also has a white temporary registration mounted in the rear window and a blue placard mounted where the license plate would normally be displayed.
Knorr had some run-ins with police in the past. He pleaded guilty to rape in 2008 and had arrests for theft and criminal mischief.
Salem Police Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident and anyone with information should call the Salem Police Department.
Let's see...no stray rounds, no collateral damage, and Oregon has one less rapist.
Sounds like a good day to me.
"He pleaded guilty to rape in 2008" - a lot of folks won't like this, but it sounds like someone did the world a favor.
 @altairPDX I like it just fine, and have no problem saying as much. Frankly, I hope that whoever the aggrieved party was, they were smart enough to 'farm the job out' to someone unrelated, and spent that time frame someplace where they were clearly on tape...meaning NOT at Walmart.
 @altairPDX Murder is not the answer. It is not the responsibility of an individual to punish a criminal - that is the proper job of the state or federal governments. Vigilante justice creates far more problems than it resolves.
@mikew I agree completely. But at the same time I feel my daughters and wife are a little safer tonight. Strange how something like this pulls me in two directions.
Gold or Tan SUV...wasn't it one of those that hit that girl in the Beaverton area?
They must be brainwashing their drivers!
Sounds like someone owed the drug dealer some money.
 @jonsiesd2 From what we've got here, it sounds more like a rape victim's family had a hat-collection and decided to take the freak out of circulation.
There was a person murdered at a public place and the public is in no immediate danger! He or she may not be at that location anymore but there somewhere, they have a weapon and with nothing to lose.Â
Great report! No info on whether anyone hit, injured, etc. No suspect info except a bit of vehicle description. If someone saw the vehicle, perhaps they also saw the occupants: one, many, male/female, etc. I presume there will be an update eventually?Â
 @jpk Most every other news outlet in the sale/portland area have identified not only the victim but also details about what happened. I would suggest checking the KOIN article since they evidently spent more than 2 minutes copying and pasting the initial police statement.
 @jpk from the Salem slimjournal
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"The male victim was pronounced dead at the hospital. His name is being withheld until police can notify the next of kin."