YAKIMA, Wash. -- The death of a 24-year-old man in a possibly drug-involved shooting pushed Yakima County’s 2009 homicide total to 25 late Tuesday, tying the 1987 record.
Law enforcement officials agreed that this felt like a particularly bloody year, augmented by a steady stream of gang-related shootings that, almost miraculously, haven’t added to the death toll.
The county’s annual homicide average has been edging closer to 20 over this decade. Two-dozen homicides were reported in 2005, according to statistics maintained by the county coroner’s office.
Sheriff Ken Irwin said such spikes are tragic, though expected. He attributed the 2005 number to the popularity of methamphetamine, suggested that gangs are to blame this time around and predicted that homicides would again decline.
Police agencies across the county, social service programs and community members are working to address the gang problem.
-- Mark Morey
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/12/23/yakima-county-homicide-count-the-highest-since-1987
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