Oregon man sentenced for killing woman in stabbing spree while high on meth

BEAVERTON, Ore. (TCN) — A man recently pleaded guilty to robbing a bank in 2019 and stabbing several people in a crime spree, including one fatally, while high on methamphetamine.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office announced that Salvador Antonio Martinez-Romero pleaded guilty on Aug. 7 to first-degree murder, three counts of attempted first-degree murder, and four counts of first-degree robbery. A judge sentenced Martinez-Romero on Aug. 13 to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years for murder and nine years for the other convictions.

On December 18, 2019, while under the influence of methamphetamine, Martinez-Romero reportedly bought a large chef’s knife at a grocery store. Prosecutors said he then entered a bank nearby, “pulled out the knife, and demanded tellers give him cash.”

According to the district attorney’s office, one victim, Janet Risch, was there to get cash as Christmas gifts for her grandchildren. Martinez-Romero reportedly grabbed Risch’s adult daughter, Deb Thompson, from behind when he didn’t get the money quickly enough and reportedly cut her throat.

Tellers reportedly gave Martinez-Romero cash. Prosecutors said he then fatally stabbed Risch in the back. Risch’s daughter and bank tellers attempted lifesaving measures, but Risch died from her injuries. Thompson survived the attack, but authorities said she was “left permanently injured.”

As Martinez-Romero fled the scene, he reportedly approached a third victim to steal his car. The victim tried to stop the theft and Martinez-Romero stabbed the man in the chest, causing critical injuries, the district attorney’s office said.

The defendant drove the stolen car to a residential area in Tigard, Oregon, where he abandoned the vehicle. A fourth victim reportedly stopped her car by the vehicle and Martinez-Romero stabbed her in the leg and torso. Prosecutors said he then stole her car.

Police pursued Martinez-Romero, and he eventually left the car and fled on foot. Officials found him near a high school, took him into custody, and discovered “large amounts of cash stuffed down his pants and hidden under a nearby pile of leaves.”

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