YAKIMA, Wash. – A man and his 4-year-old child are unharmed after a drive-by shooting unfolded near the Wiley City Market in Yakima on February 4.
According to court documents at around 6:30 p.m., deputies responded to the market located at 2929 South Wiley Road for reports of shots fired. When YCSO responded nine 9mm casings were found in the roadway and parking lot of the market.
Fortunately, no one was injured, but the victim’s car was left covered in bullet holes, said YCSO public information officer Casey Schilperoot.
A bullet hole was discovered in the back seat of the victim’s car, dangerously close to where a 4-year-old child was seated, Schilperoot added.
According to court documents, as the victim was driving with his child in the car, he repeatedly exchanged eye contact with the driver of a vehicle located in the south lot of the market. After the victim drove by, the driver of the vehicle in the parking lot reversed and allegedly started firing at the victim’s vehicle before driving away.
Schilperoort stated that the drivers involved do not know each other, and the shooting is not believed to be related to gang or drug activity.
A suspect was arrested 2-3 hours after the incident and was booked into Yakima County Jail on two counts of assault in the first degree and one count of drive-by shooting, said Schilperoot.
According to court documents, the 18-year-old suspect’s bail has been set at $100K. His arraignment is scheduled for February 19 at 9 a.m.
YCSO released the following statement in an X post: “We are thankful that no one was physically injured. The outcome could have been so much worse. It appears the child is experiencing emotional trauma and is terrified to go out since the incident. We continue to investigate and gather more evidence for the prosecutor.”
