Detectives from the Medford Police Department arrested 27-year-old Raul Meza-Solorio on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, in connection with the 2017 murder of 23-year-old Christian Barajas. The arrest comes after six years of investigation and renewed efforts to solve the case.
The original incident occurred on November 22, 2017, the day before Thanksgiving, at 5:42 pm, when Medford Police officers responded to a drive-by shooting in the 300 block of Chestnut Street. Officers arrived at the scene within two minutes of the initial call, finding Christian Barajas deceased on the side of the road. Autopsy reports revealed that Barajas had been shot four times, ultimately resulting in his death.
In the aftermath of the murder, investigators interviewed numerous witnesses and collected crucial video surveillance footage, shedding light on the events leading to the fatal encounter. Early in the investigation, Raul Meza-Solorio was identified as a person of interest, leading to search warrants executed at his residence and the vehicle believed to be involved in the shooting. However, at that time, insufficient evidence was found to make an arrest.
The investigation faced challenges as detectives encountered uncooperative witnesses who were reluctant to share key information. With no eyewitnesses to the shooting and all investigative leads exhausted, the case eventually went cold. Despite the setbacks, the Medford Police Department continued to prioritize the investigation, keeping it open and active for the past six years.
Recent developments in the case brought new information to light, eventually leading investigators to the 3000 block of Avenue C in White City. Raul Meza-Solorio was taken into custody at his home without further incident. Following his arrest, he was interviewed at the Medford Police Department and subsequently lodged at the Jackson County Jail on a single charge of Murder in the second degree.
The family of Christian Barajas has been notified of Meza-Solorio’s arrest. The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office has been consulted throughout the investigation, and with this arrest, the case will now be reviewed for prosecution.
Victim:
- Christian Barajas, 23 years old
Arrested:
- Raul Meza-Solorio, 27 years old
- Residence: 3000 Block Avenue C, White City, OR
- Charged with Murder-2nd Degree
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
Source: MPD
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