UNION GAP, Wash. -- The injuries to a teenager who was shot by Union Gap police officers this morning are not considered life-threatening, authorities said.
Officers said they shot at the teenager — who is believed to be 16 or 17 — after he pointed a hand gun at them in front of his home in the 3800 block of South Second Street, according Union Gap police.
Few details have been released so far.
Police Chief Robert Almeida said two male officers were called to the home about 10:53 a.m. after a report of an armed man making threats there.
“The officers set up properly and approached the house,” Almeida said. “The suspect apparently engaged the officers in communication outside the home. The officers were then forced to fire on the suspect. He did have a weapon in his hand.”
The teenager’s name, age or condition has not been released. Almeida said he believes officers shot the teenager in the abdomen. An ambulance took the teen to an area hospital.
“We don’t have exact details of what was happening at the home” before officers arrived, Almeida said. “It has been several years for the Union Gap Police Department where we’ve had an officer-involved shooting.”
The Yakima Police Depart will investigate the shooting and the officers will be placed on administrative leave. Neither were hurt, Almeida added.
After the shooting, witnesses said, officers brought out a second man inside the home in handcuffs. Police have not released any information on the arrest.
Neighbors said a family of four lives in the single-story rental at the corner of Second and California streets.
One 16-year-old girl who lives down the block said the wounded teenager is her friend.
“I’ve known him since first grade. I know his whole family,” said Joy Potter, adding that the teenager is a junior at Selah High School. “This is ridiculous. I came back from church and all the cops were here.”
Within 15 minutes of the shooting, authorities — including officers from the Yakima Police Department and Yakima County Sheriff’s Office — had taped off two blocks around the scene.
“I live around the corner,” said one neighbor, Mike Kask, 56, who said he heard about a dozen gunshots. “By the time I ran outside they basically had the scene roped off and told me to go back inside for my own safety.”
The neighborhood had calmed a few hours after the shooting, although the caution tape stayed up as officers photographed the scene and looked for shell casings.
“It’s usually really quiet around here. There’s graffiti here, but even that’s cut down,” said Diane Mayer, who lives a few houses away. “But usually I stay to myself and don’t mess with my neighbors.”
— Melissa Sánchez
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/01/31/teenager-shot-by-union-gap-police
