YAKIMA, Wash.-The 28-year-old father who shot another man and killed him at Randall Dog Park on Feb. 5. 2023 will not face charges.
Yakima County Prosecutor Joseph Brusic announced on Jan. 31 that no homicide charges would be filed in the deadly shooting due to the fact that the state of Washington would have a hard time proving that the shooting was not done in self-defense.
According to Brusic, the decision to not file charges was reached after a full review of the facts, evidence and witness accounts of the incident.
The shooting reportedly happened after Daniel Ortega, 22, approached Jason Telles and his son and a confrontation ensued.
According to a press release from the Yakima County Prosecutor’s Office, Ortega yelled and gestured at Telles’ son, reportedly believing that he was the child’s father. Several witnesses reported that Ortega lunged at the child and tried to grab them.
Telles yelled at Ortega to stop and backed away from him, however, he kept advancing toward the now crying child and father with his hand in his pocket. Telles repeatedly told Ortega to stop and multiple witnesses called 911 and reported Ortega’s threatening behavior.
When Ortega did not stop Telles fired one shot, hitting and killing Ortega.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, toxicology reports confirmed that Onega had methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cannabinoids in his system at the time of the incident.
