Local indicted for second-degree murder

Boyer, a 41-year-old The Dalles resident, was shot and killed on June 22, in The Dalles, on Walnut Street.

The Dalles City Police officers responded to a report of a shooting at the Walnut Street Center Market at about 12:21 a.m. that day, according to a statement from Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis.

Zaragoza had allegedly arrived prior to that. Before entering, Zaragoza pulled a firearm out of his waistband, checked it, then replaced it in his pants.

Then he "engaged in a confrontation with a patron once inside the store," the statement read. During the altercation, another person, Mariah Hernandez, stepped in to defend a friend. Zaragoza pulled and pointed his weapon at Hernandez, who slapped the firearm in response. Zaragoza then struck Hernandez with his firearm to the side of her face.

Boyer, who was Hernandez’s husband, then stepped in to defend his wife. Zaragoza then fire two shots into Boyer, before fleeing the Center Market.

Boyer died from the gunshot wounds. He is the alleged victim of the murder, and Hernandez the alleged victim of the assault.

Upon arrival, officers found Boyer, a 41-year-old Southwest Washington resident who formerly lived in The Dalles, deceased at the scene, according to a The Dalles Police Department (TDPD) press release. The investigation found that several witnesses, present at the scene of the shooting, had left before police arrival and the department asked for anyone with information to come forward.

The suspect was identified as Zaragoza, also a resident of The Dalles. Citizens were warned that Zaragoza was believed to be armed and dangerous.

Zaragoza was arrested the next day, in Camas, Washington, at about 2:40 p.m., according to a TDPD press release. A firearm was found in his hotel room.

This charge is only the accusation of a crime. Zaragoza, Jr. is innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Transported back to The Dalles from Vancouver, Wash., after waiving extradition, he is currently in custody at Northern Oregon Regional Corrections (NORCOR) and was to be arraigned Monday, July 1 (after press deadline).

“The Wasco County District Attorney’s Office thanks The Dalles City Police and the Major Crimes Team, which includes the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, and Oregon State Police for working overnight and all day Saturday to investigate the matter and bring Zaragoza, Jr. into custody. We would further like to thank our law enforcement partners in Clark County, WA for their assistance,” read Ellis’ statement.

Five agencies cooperated to apprehend Zaragoza: TDPD, Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and Vancouver Police Department.