Yakima man gunned down in front of his own house

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Authorities continued their investigation Wednesday evening into the shooting death of a 24-year-old Yakima man.

Joel Mendoza Mora, who lived in the 1800 block of Greenway Street, was found dead in the front yard of his home by police officers checking on gunfire about 11 p.m. Tuesday. He was mortally wounded by gunshots to the neck and shoulder, detectives said.

After releasing two possible suspects due to a lack of evidence, investigators said Wednesday afternoon that they were making progress in the 25th homicide of the year in Yakima County.

"We've got some leads we're working, but nothing I can share," Sgt. Mike Pollard said.

Pollard said the prospect that drugs were involved remained a "very viable scenario," but he declined to discuss details that prompted detectives to reach that conclusion.

Witnesses told police that two men left the scene in separate vehicles after the shooting.

The two were taken into custody in the 1700 block of South 14th Avenue, but they were later let go, detectives said. However, Pollard said detectives had not ruled anyone out in connection with the death.

Police were looking for two men in their early 20s. Witnesses said they left the shooting scene in a black Chevrolet-type pickup and a black full-sized sport utility vehicle, according to a police news release.

Anyone with information about the case may call police at 509-575-6200.

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/12/23/man-gunned-down-on-front-yard-of-yakima-home