Yakima Police Arrest 38-Year-Old Man in Fatal Saturday Morning Shooting
YAKIMA, WA — A tragic act of violence unfolded on the morning of Saturday, June 14, 2025, as Yakima Police responded to a fatal shooting in a quiet residential neighborhood. The incident, which occurred around 9:15 a.m. in the 1200 block of Pleasant Avenue, claimed the life of a 66-year-old male and led to the swift arrest of a suspect.
According to a statement from the Yakima Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they discovered the elderly male victim suffering from a critical gunshot wound. Despite the immediate response of emergency medical personnel, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The preliminary investigation quickly identified a suspect — a 38-year-old Yakima man — who was located and taken into custody without further incident. Authorities have since confirmed that the man has been charged with Murder in the First Degree, a serious felony that carries the potential for life imprisonment under Washington State law.
Police have not yet released the identities of either the victim or the suspect, pending notification of next of kin and further investigative procedures. However, they have confirmed that the suspect and victim were known to one another, and that the shooting does not appear to have been a random act.
Yakima Police detectives, along with crime scene investigators, remained at the location for several hours collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reconstructing the moments leading up to the shooting. While the motive remains under investigation, early indications suggest that a personal dispute may have escalated into deadly violence.
“The safety of our community is our highest priority,” said Yakima Police Chief Matt Murray. “We are thankful for the quick work of our officers and detectives in apprehending the suspect and beginning the process of seeking justice for the victim and their loved ones.”
Residents in the Pleasant Avenue area were understandably shaken by the event. Neighbors described the victim as a quiet and kind individual who had lived in the community for many years. Several community members have begun organizing a candlelight vigil in his honor, tentatively planned for the evening of June 16.
The Yakima Police Department is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has additional information to come forward. Tipsters can contact the Yakima Police Department or submit information anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
This case remains under active investigation. More details are expected to be released in the coming days as detectives continue their work.
