Knife Fight in West Salem Bar Leaves One Dead

Suspect is in custody, charged with Manslaughter in the First degree.

32-year old Brent Phillips was arrested just after midnight. Photo: Salem Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - Police were called to the '50 West" Tavern about 11:42 p.m. Monday, on a report of an assault with a knife. When they arrived, first responders found 24-year old Christopher Lindsay injured and bleeding severely from what appeared to be a knife wound.

Bystanders at the scene had been attempting to provide medical assistance prior to the arrival of medics, but Lindsay was transported to Salem Hospital where he later died of his wounds.

Police say that the investigation thus far has revealed that Lindsay and another subject were involved in an altercation in the tavern when the suspect approached Lindsay and assaulted him with a knife.

At that point, the suspect was still unknown. He fled the scene on a motorcycle and was gone when officers arrived. Based on witness statements, officers were able to quickly get a description of the suspect broadcast to area law enforcement agencies, and at approximately 12:14 am, an alert Marion County Sheriff's Office Deputy located the suspect and his motorcycle near the intersection of 64th St SE and Joseph St SE, east of Salem.

32-year old Brent W Phillips of Salem, was taken into custody without further incident by deputies and later arrested by Salem Police Detectives on a charge of Manslaughter in the First Degree.

Anybody with further information on this incident is asked to call Salem Police Detective Corporal Garon Boyce at 503-588-6050, extension 7163.