Marion Co. Dist. Attorney’s Office – 10/21/24 3:38 PM
PRESS RELEASE
On October 11, 2024, the Honorable Judge Edmonds sentenced Kenneth Felton to 275 months (22 years and 9 months) in the Department of Corrections.
Felton’s sentence is a result of a plea entered May 03, 2024, at which Felton pled guilty to three separate counts of Attempted Murder with a Firearm, Assault in the First Degree with a Firearm, Assault II constituting Domestic Violence, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Felton’s criminal history ranges from 2015 to 2021, and includes previous convictions for Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
In December of 2021, over the course of three separate days within the city of Salem, Felton was involved in three shootings, each against a different victim. The first shooting occurred in a parking lot of a busy apartment complex in the late hours on December 27, 2021. Salem Police responded after witnesses called in reporting hearing shots fired. Felton, aided by another, assaulted this victim then fired multiple rounds at the victim’s back as the victim attempted to run.
The second shooting occurred in broad daylight on December 30, 2021, at a business complex less than a mile from an elementary school and park in Salem. This victim was shot several times in his leg and knee area. A witness later identified Felton as the shooter.
The third incident took place on January 01, 2024, at a residence in Salem. Felton shot multiple rounds at his then significant other during an argument over a firearm. At the time of these shootings Felton was not lawfully allowed to possess or own a firearm.
By January 01, 2022, Felton and his significant other fled to Umatilla County. There, Stanfield Police located Felton and the female in a car reported stolen. Felton attempted to escape capture by fleeing into a nearby business. Due to the response of local law enforcement, Felton surrendered without further incident. Within the car, law enforcement located the firearm that was ultimately determined to be a ballistic match for the first three shootings. Felton was arrested and lodged at the Umatilla County jail. Upon Felton’s release from jail in Umatilla County he returned to the Salem area.
By May 18, 2022, Felton had acquired a second firearm and was involved in a fourth shooting. Felton was called to a residence in Northeast Salem by two women known to Felton. The two women were upset called Felton to intervene on behalf of their friend who was involved in an argument with her own significant other, a person only marginally known to Felton. Felton got into a vehicle with the two women and followed their friend and the fourth shooting victim approximately 15 miles into South Salem. There, in a residential neighborhood in broad daylight, Felton shot multiple times at this fourth victim. There were multiple, unrelated witnesses to this shooting as it occurred in a populated residential area. At the time of the actual shooting, there was no immediate threat to the friend of the two women, as she had physically separated from the fourth shooting victim. Felton then fled the area in a car being driven by one of the two women.
In part due to the ongoing investigation from the December shootings as well as statements from witnesses, Salem Police was able to connect Felton to this fourth shooting. Felton was captured by Salem Police Department on May 22, 2022, during a high-risk traffic stop. After Felton was removed from the vehicle in which he was captured, law enforcement located a firearm on the seat where Felton had been sitting. That firearm was a ballistic match to the casings left at the scene of the fourth shooting.
At sentencing, Felton’s attorney, Spencer Todd, argued that Felton was remorseful and came from an abusive upbringing and argued for a sentence of 10 years in the Department of Corrections. In contrast, the State argued for 30 years (or 360 months) in the Department of Corrections. The State argued Felton poses a risk to anyone he comes into contact within this community. Again, the Honorable Judge Edmonds sentenced Kenneth Felton to 275 months (22 years and 9 months). Of the ultimate total 275-month sentence, 250 of those months (approximately 20 years and 10 months) will be served without early release.
The Marion County District attorney’s Office would like to thank the Salem Police Department for their efforts on this very serious case.
Questions can be directed to Deputy District Attorney Rachel Klein, (503) 588-5222.
