YAKIMA, Wash. - Authorities today formally charged the 42-year-old man accused in Monday’s fatal stabbing.
Richard Solis, of Yakima, was charged with second-degree murder in Yakima County Superior Court.
He is accused of stabbing 21-year-old Ali Lemus Vargas [an alleged Norteno gang member] multiple times in the head, chest and hands early Monday, authorities said. Lemus Vargas was found about 2:30 a.m. Monday near Pleasant Avenue and West Pierce Street.
Yakima police officers followed a trail of blood that led to a residence in the 1500 block of Seventh Avenue, where they found Solis.
Authorities said an interview with the suspect revealed that an argument between the two led to the stabbing.
Solis is being held on a $500,000 bail in Yakima County Jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 2.
- Melissa Sanchez
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/02/18/yakima-man-charged-in-stabbing-death
Showing posts with label nortenos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nortenos. Show all posts
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Yakima- 2 Nortenos arrested for guns at school
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Authorities arrested two teenage brothers [known as "Hate" and "Chico" in their La Raza 14 Norteno gang] within an hour of each other Tuesday on pending stolen weapons charges.
The younger of the two, who is 16, was arrested at Davis High School after a loaded .44-caliber revolver was discovered in his backpack, said Yakima police Lt. Mike Merryman.
A school resource officer searched the student's backpack around 11:25 a.m. after an argument with another student between classes, Merryman said.
"So we got that gun out of the school," he said. "What did we save? It may have been a lot worse."
The gun had been reported stolen out of King County, he added.
Less than an hour later, Washington State Patrol asked for some help from Yakima police during a foot pursuit near I and First streets, Merryman said.
Details were a little fuzzy on the State Patrol case Tuesday evening. Merryman said a state trooper arrested a 17-year-old male after chasing him on foot. Authorities said the juvenile ditched a loaded .22-caliber handgun along the way.
"That young man was this Davis student's older brother. What are the odds?" Merryman said. "Two brothers armed with stolen guns, arrested on the same day."
Merryman said police consider both brothers to be gang members.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/01/26/brothers-face-stolen-weapons-charges
The younger of the two, who is 16, was arrested at Davis High School after a loaded .44-caliber revolver was discovered in his backpack, said Yakima police Lt. Mike Merryman.
A school resource officer searched the student's backpack around 11:25 a.m. after an argument with another student between classes, Merryman said.
"So we got that gun out of the school," he said. "What did we save? It may have been a lot worse."
The gun had been reported stolen out of King County, he added.
Less than an hour later, Washington State Patrol asked for some help from Yakima police during a foot pursuit near I and First streets, Merryman said.
Details were a little fuzzy on the State Patrol case Tuesday evening. Merryman said a state trooper arrested a 17-year-old male after chasing him on foot. Authorities said the juvenile ditched a loaded .22-caliber handgun along the way.
"That young man was this Davis student's older brother. What are the odds?" Merryman said. "Two brothers armed with stolen guns, arrested on the same day."
Merryman said police consider both brothers to be gang members.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/01/26/brothers-face-stolen-weapons-charges
Monday, December 21, 2009
Wapato- jury out on shooting that hurt innocent teen
YAKIMA, Wash. — Jurors will resume deliberations this morning in the trial of a man accused of wounding an innocent teen during a gang-related shooting outside of Wapato.
The victim, Jose Salinas, then 16, continues to undergo medical treatment in Seattle from the injuries he received when the bullet slammed into his jaw, traveled down his spine and lodged near his kidneys.
Defendant Joshua Perez, 23, is charged in Yakima County Superior Court with two counts of first-degree assault and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. The trial began Dec. 14.
The incident occurred Feb. 21 on Horschel and Hoffer roads outside Wapato.
Investigators said the shooting followed a confrontation between gang rivals as one side was holding a birthday party for a young girl. Salinas lived in a nearby house, and Perez had lived at his grandmother's house on Horschel Road for several years, authorities said.
There were no eyewitnesses who pointed to Perez as the one who shot Salinas. Authorities identified Perez as the suspect in part because of a statement by a woman attending the birthday party, Mayra Corona, who was also the victim named in the first assault count.
Another witness testified that Corona came into the house where the party was being held soon after the confrontation and said, "That scrap, Josh Perez, shot me."
"Scrap" is a derogatory term used by red-wearing gang members -- historically known in California's Hispanic gang world as Nortenos -- to refer to their blue-wearing rivals, known as Surenos.
Perez's gang-related tattoos include the word "Sureno" above his left eyebrow.
As it turned out, Corona was not wounded, and she had to be brought into court under a material witness warrant.
Prosecution witnesses testified that Corona, known to have gang ties, had asked Perez to identify himself as he and several others were walking along the road in front of the house where the party was taking place.
The first round of shots soon followed in front of the house.
Salinas' brother, Sergio, testified that a second round of gunfire came from the doorway of Perez's grandmother's home. One round struck Jose Salinas, who was inside his house.
Perez's DNA was found on a beer can tossed alongside the road, and several .357-caliber casings and live rounds were found in the front yard of the Perez home.
While acknowledging that Corona did not come across as a star witness, deputy prosecutor David Soukup asked the jury to consider the state's entire case in order to reach a guilty verdict.
"It's a sequence of events that you can see makes sense, especially in the context of the gang," he said in his closing argument.
Defense attorney Amanda Stevens blasted the prosecution's entire case as "hearsay statements, allegations and speculations." She suggested to the jury that detectives had settled for the "quick and convenient" suspect rather than ruling out other possibilities.
She called Perez's sister, Tasha Perez, to testify that she was at the house with her grandmother and other relatives, but not her brother, when the shooting broke out.
Among other points, she questioned whether Sergio Salinas could have seen the muzzle flashes he described as coming from the doorway of the Perez home.
"Or is he wanting justice for his brother, just as any brother would?" she said.
Perez did not testify.
* Mark Morey can be reached at 509-577-7671 or mmorey@yakimaherald.com.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/12/21/jury-out-on-shooting-that-hurt-innocent-teen
The victim, Jose Salinas, then 16, continues to undergo medical treatment in Seattle from the injuries he received when the bullet slammed into his jaw, traveled down his spine and lodged near his kidneys.
Defendant Joshua Perez, 23, is charged in Yakima County Superior Court with two counts of first-degree assault and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. The trial began Dec. 14.
The incident occurred Feb. 21 on Horschel and Hoffer roads outside Wapato.
Investigators said the shooting followed a confrontation between gang rivals as one side was holding a birthday party for a young girl. Salinas lived in a nearby house, and Perez had lived at his grandmother's house on Horschel Road for several years, authorities said.
There were no eyewitnesses who pointed to Perez as the one who shot Salinas. Authorities identified Perez as the suspect in part because of a statement by a woman attending the birthday party, Mayra Corona, who was also the victim named in the first assault count.
Another witness testified that Corona came into the house where the party was being held soon after the confrontation and said, "That scrap, Josh Perez, shot me."
"Scrap" is a derogatory term used by red-wearing gang members -- historically known in California's Hispanic gang world as Nortenos -- to refer to their blue-wearing rivals, known as Surenos.
Perez's gang-related tattoos include the word "Sureno" above his left eyebrow.
As it turned out, Corona was not wounded, and she had to be brought into court under a material witness warrant.
Prosecution witnesses testified that Corona, known to have gang ties, had asked Perez to identify himself as he and several others were walking along the road in front of the house where the party was taking place.
The first round of shots soon followed in front of the house.
Salinas' brother, Sergio, testified that a second round of gunfire came from the doorway of Perez's grandmother's home. One round struck Jose Salinas, who was inside his house.
Perez's DNA was found on a beer can tossed alongside the road, and several .357-caliber casings and live rounds were found in the front yard of the Perez home.
While acknowledging that Corona did not come across as a star witness, deputy prosecutor David Soukup asked the jury to consider the state's entire case in order to reach a guilty verdict.
"It's a sequence of events that you can see makes sense, especially in the context of the gang," he said in his closing argument.
Defense attorney Amanda Stevens blasted the prosecution's entire case as "hearsay statements, allegations and speculations." She suggested to the jury that detectives had settled for the "quick and convenient" suspect rather than ruling out other possibilities.
She called Perez's sister, Tasha Perez, to testify that she was at the house with her grandmother and other relatives, but not her brother, when the shooting broke out.
Among other points, she questioned whether Sergio Salinas could have seen the muzzle flashes he described as coming from the doorway of the Perez home.
"Or is he wanting justice for his brother, just as any brother would?" she said.
Perez did not testify.
* Mark Morey can be reached at 509-577-7671 or mmorey@yakimaherald.com.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/12/21/jury-out-on-shooting-that-hurt-innocent-teen
Monday, November 16, 2009
Yakima- Smile now, cry later
YAKIMA -- Officer Chris Taylor is under no false illusion. His days will always begin at night. His focus; a problem he knows will never go away.
After just 2-years on Yakima's Gang Enforcement Unit, Taylor has memorized hundreds of faces, how to tie those faces to names, hang-outs, vehicles, brothers and girlfriends.
And he is under no false illusion that anyone of them could cause or become Yakima's next homicide.
"The gang members are getting, they're getting more violent. We're starting to get into the same crimes the bigger cities have," say Gang Unit officer, Chris Taylor.
In this war, few are allowed to walk the streets of known gang neighborhoods without being stopped. As is so often the case, this gangbanger was carrying a little something extra.
"This guy doesn't have a job. He sells drugs. And one of the things people will say is, oh it's just marijuana. Well, a lot of your problems come these guys fighting over this ya know."
And Taylor's Next call may have something to do with one of those fights. Shots have been fired at a home. Taylor and other officers arrive in seconds to catch three bangers rolling out of the alley. As usual, few neighbors are talking. Experience tells gang enforcement the proof they need is in the trunk.
It is after midnight and officer Taylor will have to wake a judge to get the search warrant he needs.
Then it's straight to impound where instinct once again pays off.
"There it is right there!"
"We believe this is the weapon that was used in the shots fired earlier tonight."
And there's more.
A fully loaded, sawed-off shotgun was wrapped in blankets, ready to add fire to the reputation of gang violence that is sticking to Yakima.
Sgt. Erik Hindebrandis the head of the gang unit. "They've ingrained themselves in survival which most often now involved having weapons and being prepared if they do encounter a rival somewhere. They're ready to defend themselves."
" Out numbering and outgunning police. Yakima's two major rival gangs are Nortenos with more than 150 documented members and Surenos with more than 200. Combine that with a half dozen smaller gangs and the numbers total more than 500. With hundreds more not willing to admit their gang affiliation. It's a small number but their impact is huge... Most are armed, most deal drugs for a living and all understand that violence equals respect. And the more willing to kill, the more respect there is to gain."
Jay is a former Norteno gang member. "There was always somebody you could depend on."
Jay joined Yakima's Norteno gang 2-years ago. He was 14. His role... Sell drugs, and find rival Sereno gang members and pick fights.
"The more work you put in the more you're known. Like if you get in a whole bunch of fights, you beat other people up, they're gonna know who you are."
We are hiding Jay's identity because Jay left Norteno a few weeks ago. The 16-year old grew tired of the threats against his family, the harassment by police and rivals and knowledge that sooner or later, he'd be sitting in a jail cell or laying in a coffin.
"You don't have to watch your back no more. You can walk and not have to be looking back. Or you don't have to have a belt to represent who you are, or bandana, shirt whatever."
But Jay well be the first to tell you he is the exception.... Few who enter a gang, ever leave.
Gangs in Yakima are evolving... The younger generation of members is more violent, more unpredictable, less respectful of the community at large.
For officers like Chris Taylor, the challenge is clear... And so to is the reality for the city of Yakima.
"Unfortunately things like this never go away. Gangs don't go away. They're not gonna leave Yakima. No matter how many officers we have, no matter if we put officers on every city street."
In Taylor's own words.... Control is the best we can hope for.
http://www.kimatv.com/news/local/70242357.html
After just 2-years on Yakima's Gang Enforcement Unit, Taylor has memorized hundreds of faces, how to tie those faces to names, hang-outs, vehicles, brothers and girlfriends.
And he is under no false illusion that anyone of them could cause or become Yakima's next homicide.
"The gang members are getting, they're getting more violent. We're starting to get into the same crimes the bigger cities have," say Gang Unit officer, Chris Taylor.
In this war, few are allowed to walk the streets of known gang neighborhoods without being stopped. As is so often the case, this gangbanger was carrying a little something extra.
"This guy doesn't have a job. He sells drugs. And one of the things people will say is, oh it's just marijuana. Well, a lot of your problems come these guys fighting over this ya know."
And Taylor's Next call may have something to do with one of those fights. Shots have been fired at a home. Taylor and other officers arrive in seconds to catch three bangers rolling out of the alley. As usual, few neighbors are talking. Experience tells gang enforcement the proof they need is in the trunk.
It is after midnight and officer Taylor will have to wake a judge to get the search warrant he needs.
Then it's straight to impound where instinct once again pays off.
"There it is right there!"
"We believe this is the weapon that was used in the shots fired earlier tonight."
And there's more.
A fully loaded, sawed-off shotgun was wrapped in blankets, ready to add fire to the reputation of gang violence that is sticking to Yakima.
Sgt. Erik Hindebrandis the head of the gang unit. "They've ingrained themselves in survival which most often now involved having weapons and being prepared if they do encounter a rival somewhere. They're ready to defend themselves."
" Out numbering and outgunning police. Yakima's two major rival gangs are Nortenos with more than 150 documented members and Surenos with more than 200. Combine that with a half dozen smaller gangs and the numbers total more than 500. With hundreds more not willing to admit their gang affiliation. It's a small number but their impact is huge... Most are armed, most deal drugs for a living and all understand that violence equals respect. And the more willing to kill, the more respect there is to gain."
Jay is a former Norteno gang member. "There was always somebody you could depend on."
Jay joined Yakima's Norteno gang 2-years ago. He was 14. His role... Sell drugs, and find rival Sereno gang members and pick fights.
"The more work you put in the more you're known. Like if you get in a whole bunch of fights, you beat other people up, they're gonna know who you are."
We are hiding Jay's identity because Jay left Norteno a few weeks ago. The 16-year old grew tired of the threats against his family, the harassment by police and rivals and knowledge that sooner or later, he'd be sitting in a jail cell or laying in a coffin.
"You don't have to watch your back no more. You can walk and not have to be looking back. Or you don't have to have a belt to represent who you are, or bandana, shirt whatever."
But Jay well be the first to tell you he is the exception.... Few who enter a gang, ever leave.
Gangs in Yakima are evolving... The younger generation of members is more violent, more unpredictable, less respectful of the community at large.
For officers like Chris Taylor, the challenge is clear... And so to is the reality for the city of Yakima.
"Unfortunately things like this never go away. Gangs don't go away. They're not gonna leave Yakima. No matter how many officers we have, no matter if we put officers on every city street."
In Taylor's own words.... Control is the best we can hope for.
http://www.kimatv.com/news/local/70242357.html
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Sunnyside- Mexican police capture jail escapee after three years
YAKIMA, Wash. -- A ( Norteno ) gang member who escaped from the Sunnyside jail three years ago and was among the U.S. Marshals' 15 Most Wanted Fugitives is back in the United States after being caught in Mexico.
Aaron Lopez Garcia, 31, was arrested Friday night in Manzanillo, in the state of Colima, according to a news release from the U.S. Marshals.
After appearing in front of a federal magistrate in California, he's expected to return to Washington, according to Darrick Swick, a deputy U.S. marshal in Richland.
"They flew him up here (to the U.S.) tonight," Swick said Saturday night. "He's in some part of California; I'm not sure where."
But, eventually, "He's coming back here," said Swick, who's been on the case since 2006.
Garcia -- who was wanted for escape and firearms violations -- and three other inmates escaped from the Sunnyside City Jail in late November 2006 using metal torn from a mop bucket. They had carved their way through a 1-inch-thick reinforced concrete ceiling, then crawled though ductwork to the roof.
The other three inmates -- Rolando Cortez-Orozco, Roberto Ruiz-Ochoa and Ernesto Gallegos -- were soon captured. All four were being held in the Sunnyside jail under a contract with the U.S. Marshals.
At the time of the jailbreak, Garcia was to be sentenced for illegal possession of a firearm. He had been discovered with a handgun on the floorboard of a vehicle in which he was a passenger on Feb. 10, 2005. Federal charges were filed, he went to trial and was found guilty.
In a separate 2000 case, he was convicted of possessing methamphetamine and of possessing a firearm.
Authorities arrested Garcia without incident near an ice cream factory. He was taken into custody by Colima state police with help from deputy U.S. marshals assigned to the agency's field office in Mexico City. U.S. and Mexican immigration authorities and U.S. Customs and Border Protection also aided in Garcia's arrest.
"This is wonderful news," Sunnyside police Deputy Chief Phil Schenck said Saturday night. "It's really nice that it's done. We've been looking for this guy for quite some time. A lot of resources have gone into this."
The 2006 breakout marked the first time anyone had escaped from the Sunnyside jail since it was built in 1997, Schenck said.
The hole Garcia and the three other inmates escaped through three years ago was just big enough for one person to crawl through, and it was carved in an area of the bathroom ceiling that was not visible to surveillance cameras nor from the door of the cell.
Since then, Schenck said, improvements have been made to the Sunnyside jail.
"I don't know where he'll end up, but I would welcome an opportunity to house him in our jail again," Schenck said. "He would not escape again."
According to the U.S. Marshals, Garcia is a documented member of the Norteños gang and has a history of convictions that include robbery, domestic violence, burglary and assault.
"Aaron Garcia's arrest is an excellent example of how we continue to benefit from an extraordinary relationship with Mexican authorities, as well as our fellow law enforcement agencies," John F. Clark, director of the U.S. Marshals Service, said in the news release. "Garcia has an extensive history of violence and the time has come for him to answer for his crimes."
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/11/07/sunnyside-jail-escapee-caught-after-three-years
Monday, October 26, 2009
WAPATO- Warrant issued for 2008 homicide
YAKIMA, Wash. — An arrest warrant has been issued for a 19-year-old man who is suspected of being the shooter in the gang-related death of a Wapato youngster (a Norteno) last year.
The warrant charging Delfino Benson (Sureno) with first-degree murder was filed in Yakima County Superior Court this afternoon.
Benson lives in the Wapato area.
Sheriff’s detectives on Friday arrested a Union Gap mother, her son and another teenager in connection with the same case.
Investigators say witnesses tell them the 45-year-old mother was driving as the group cruised around the Wapato area Nov. 18. They were looking for gang rivals to attack in retaliation for a fatal gang shooting in Sunnyside, according to the arrest report.
The group stopped in the 4500 block of North Track Road when they spotted victim Ricky Cabrera and a friend, who were walking to a nearby market from Cabrera’s house.
Investigators say Benson opened fire, hitting Cabrera. He was declared dead at Toppenish Community Hospital.
The arrest report suggests that the attackers recognized Cabrera’s friend as a rival gang member.
Cabrera’s relatives acknowledge that his brothers are involved in gangs, but they say they had tried to keep Cabrera from the lifestyle.
Stew Graham, chief of detectives for the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, said a new witness came forward Friday to provide information that resulted in the arrests.
He said at least some of those arrested had been interviewed in the earlier stages of the investigation.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/10/26/arrest-warrant-issued-in-2008-gang-related-death
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
PASCO- Surenos desacrate Norteno's grave
The grave marker for a Pasco man gunned down in April was desecrated over the weekend with gang graffiti, burned flowers and urine.
Late Monday, Eutimio Vivero-Martinez's marker at Cityview Cemetery in Pasco still had a light blue tint from the spray paint. His son, Francisco Vivero of Pasco, earlier attempted to remove all traces of the destruction.
Vivero-Martinez, 38, died April 26 during a gang clash on 14th Avenue.
Convicted killer Christopher Ruesga, 17, was sentenced Oct. 9 to 15 years in prison. Ruesga is a member of the Sureo gang, which associates with the color blue.
Vivero-Martinez's home had reportedly been hit by shotgun blasts just hours before he was killed. He was with two known Norteo members when their group walked into Sureo territory and approached Ruesga and his friends.
Maria Vivero Cruz said Monday that her entire family is upset with the desecration of her brother's grave marker and the outcome of the criminal case.
Cruz said her father, Eutimio Vivero, was at the cemetery Friday night to take flowers to the adjacent markers for his sons Eutimio and Alberto. He returned Sunday to reportedly find the gang signs in blue paint, urine in a flower vase and both flowers and a red bandana burned on the stone.
Cruz said the family is tired of the retribution and called Pasco police about the vandalism.
"I am frustrated and hurting for my mom. She feels like she can't even let my brother rest because they're destroying him. They're messing with him," she said. "He's so innocent right now, and they can't even let him rest."
She questioned why some have nothing else to do but go out and destroy other people's property. It is "getting ugly with gangs" in the Tri-Cities, and people cannot walk the streets or enjoy time in the outdoors without worrying about what could happen, she said.
Cruz said she wants to write the Washington Legislature because she feels the state is too lenient on punishment for killers. The law actually discourages the people and gives no hope to those who have suffered a loss, she said.
"If you want to act like an adult you're going to get treated like an adult. We want the laws strong and heavy on kids so they don't go back and do what they're doing now," said Cruz, who is angered that Ruesga can return to society once he's served his time. "We lost and he gains a life. It's not fair, it's not fair at all."
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/922432.html
Late Monday, Eutimio Vivero-Martinez's marker at Cityview Cemetery in Pasco still had a light blue tint from the spray paint. His son, Francisco Vivero of Pasco, earlier attempted to remove all traces of the destruction.
Vivero-Martinez, 38, died April 26 during a gang clash on 14th Avenue.
Convicted killer Christopher Ruesga, 17, was sentenced Oct. 9 to 15 years in prison. Ruesga is a member of the Sureo gang, which associates with the color blue.
Vivero-Martinez's home had reportedly been hit by shotgun blasts just hours before he was killed. He was with two known Norteo members when their group walked into Sureo territory and approached Ruesga and his friends.
Maria Vivero Cruz said Monday that her entire family is upset with the desecration of her brother's grave marker and the outcome of the criminal case.
Cruz said her father, Eutimio Vivero, was at the cemetery Friday night to take flowers to the adjacent markers for his sons Eutimio and Alberto. He returned Sunday to reportedly find the gang signs in blue paint, urine in a flower vase and both flowers and a red bandana burned on the stone.
Cruz said the family is tired of the retribution and called Pasco police about the vandalism.
"I am frustrated and hurting for my mom. She feels like she can't even let my brother rest because they're destroying him. They're messing with him," she said. "He's so innocent right now, and they can't even let him rest."
She questioned why some have nothing else to do but go out and destroy other people's property. It is "getting ugly with gangs" in the Tri-Cities, and people cannot walk the streets or enjoy time in the outdoors without worrying about what could happen, she said.
Cruz said she wants to write the Washington Legislature because she feels the state is too lenient on punishment for killers. The law actually discourages the people and gives no hope to those who have suffered a loss, she said.
"If you want to act like an adult you're going to get treated like an adult. We want the laws strong and heavy on kids so they don't go back and do what they're doing now," said Cruz, who is angered that Ruesga can return to society once he's served his time. "We lost and he gains a life. It's not fair, it's not fair at all."
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/922432.html
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Sunnyside: BGL arrested in Juan Sosa murder
January 24, 2009 in Uncategorized
Sunnyside, WA- Sunnyside’s first murder of the year results in an arrest Wednesday in Granger. Oscar Torres, 26, of Sunnyside was taken into custody at a residence located in the 1800 block of Nelson Road in Granger. Torres was charged with the murder of Jesus Sosa which ocurred on January 4 at the AM/PM Mini Mart in Sunnyside. Charges include the murder and several accounts of assault.
Jesus Sosa, 22, of Sunnyside was shot near the gas pumps when a group of young males confronted each other outside the convenience store. Injured during the shooting were two other males, a 16 year old male from Schwana and Manuel Farias of Grandview. Farias had recently moved from Mattawa to Grandview.
Police believe this is a gang related incident that began in Mattawa earlier in the day. Sunnyside Police was assisted by Washington State Department of Corrections.
This case is still under investigation. If you have any information on the identity of this person or his whereabouts please call the Sunnyside Police.
Sunnyside, WA- Sunnyside’s first murder of the year results in an arrest Wednesday in Granger. Oscar Torres, 26, of Sunnyside was taken into custody at a residence located in the 1800 block of Nelson Road in Granger. Torres was charged with the murder of Jesus Sosa which ocurred on January 4 at the AM/PM Mini Mart in Sunnyside. Charges include the murder and several accounts of assault.
Jesus Sosa, 22, of Sunnyside was shot near the gas pumps when a group of young males confronted each other outside the convenience store. Injured during the shooting were two other males, a 16 year old male from Schwana and Manuel Farias of Grandview. Farias had recently moved from Mattawa to Grandview.
Police believe this is a gang related incident that began in Mattawa earlier in the day. Sunnyside Police was assisted by Washington State Department of Corrections.
This case is still under investigation. If you have any information on the identity of this person or his whereabouts please call the Sunnyside Police.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Toppenish- Surenos shoot up Norteno house
Toppenish -- Sade Malloy, Action News says, "To put into perspective how many shootings have happened here on the 600 block of East First Avenue, I was here on Thursday doing a story about the brown house because it had been shot at three times in five days in drive-by shootings. Toppenish Police say that's because Norteno gang members are moving into a Sureno gang area and now the shootings are continuing."
Toppenish Police say that shots were fired Saturday night at 9:20 in the evening on the 600 block of East First Avenue. No one was injured, but police say the incident was gang related.
Then, just 40 minutes later police were called to the Toppenish Community Hospital to investigate the victim of a gunshot wound. A 19 year old man had been struck in the hip.
Then right before midnight here on 'H' Street shots were fired again.
Victims tell police they were standing in their yard when a Dodge truck drove by and the occupants fired 10-13 shots.
While investigating Saturday night's shootings, Toppenish Police arrested one person right in front of us.
Sgt. Jake Church tells Action News that they've arrested almost a dozen people involved in gangs.
A concerned citizen, Santiago Ramos told us , "It's gone too far now, this town is getting worse and worse."
Police are unsure if all of Saturday night's shootings are connected.
The one thing they did confirm was that the first shooting is related to the East First Avenue drive-bys that happened earlier in the week.
Resident Jessica Beasley commented "What if someone comes down the road next thing you know I get shot."
Jessica is expressing what several Toppenish homeowners were too scared to tell us on camera: enough is enough.
Toppenish Police say that shots were fired Saturday night at 9:20 in the evening on the 600 block of East First Avenue. No one was injured, but police say the incident was gang related.
Then, just 40 minutes later police were called to the Toppenish Community Hospital to investigate the victim of a gunshot wound. A 19 year old man had been struck in the hip.
Then right before midnight here on 'H' Street shots were fired again.
Victims tell police they were standing in their yard when a Dodge truck drove by and the occupants fired 10-13 shots.
While investigating Saturday night's shootings, Toppenish Police arrested one person right in front of us.
Sgt. Jake Church tells Action News that they've arrested almost a dozen people involved in gangs.
A concerned citizen, Santiago Ramos told us , "It's gone too far now, this town is getting worse and worse."
Police are unsure if all of Saturday night's shootings are connected.
The one thing they did confirm was that the first shooting is related to the East First Avenue drive-bys that happened earlier in the week.
Resident Jessica Beasley commented "What if someone comes down the road next thing you know I get shot."
Jessica is expressing what several Toppenish homeowners were too scared to tell us on camera: enough is enough.
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