Grand Jury Indicts Noe Zaragoza, Jr. On Murder in the Second Degree
From Wasco County District Attorney:
By Matthew Ellis
The Dalles, Ore. June 28, 2024 — Today, Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis announced the grand jury indicted Noe Zaragoza, Jr. (23) for Murder in the Second Degree, two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon With a Firearm, Menacing, and Assault in the Fourth Degree. Zaragoza, Jr. was indicted on Wednesday, June 26.
He has been transported back to The Dalles from Vancouver, WA, after waiving extradition and is currently in custody at the Northern Oregon Regional Corrections Facility (NORCOR). Zaragoza, Jr. will be arraigned from NORCOR on Monday, July 1.
In the early morning hours of June 22, 2024, Zaragoza, Jr. allegedly entered the Walnut Street Center Market in The Dalles. Prior to entry, Zaragoza, Jr. pulled a firearm out of his waistband, checked it, and then put it back into his pants. Zaragoza, Jr. engaged in a confrontation with a patron once inside the store. During the altercation, Mariah Hernandez stepped in to defend her friend. Zaragoza, Jr. pulled a firearm and pointed it at Ms. Hernandez. Ms. Hernandez slapped the firearm in response. Zaragoza, Jr. then struck Ms. Hernandez with his firearm to the side of her face. Ms. Hernandez’s husband, Michael Boyer, stepped in to defend his wife. Zaragoza, Jr. fired two shots into Mr. Boyer before fleeing the Center Market. Mr. Boyer died from the gunshot wounds.
Mr. Boyer is the alleged victim of the murder and Ms. Hernandez is the alleged victim of the assault.
Law Enforcement took Zaragoza, Jr. into custody in Clark County, WA, in the afternoon hours on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Camas Hotel. A firearm was located in the hotel room.
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.
A charging instrument is only an accusation of a crime. Zaragoza, Jr. is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
No additional information is available for release at this time.
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