(Yakima, WA), The Yakima Valley Special Investigations Unit (YVSIU) is investigating an Officer-Involved shooting that occurred Saturday evening in Yakima, Washington.
On Saturday February 8, 2025, at approximately 4:34pmm the Yakima Police Department responded to the 1700 block of E Yakima Ave. A male armed with a rifle had been reported in a hotel lobby. Upon arriving on scene officers encountered the armed male outside the hotel on a greenway path. During the armed confrontation the male with the rifle was fatally wounded after a Yakima Police Officer discharged his service rifle. Despite lifesaving efforts, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Yakima Valley Special Investigation Unit (YVSIU) was activated, and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) is leading the investigation. Per policy and practive, WSP will be releasing weekly updates during the ongoing envestigaton of this incident through the WSP Government and Media Relations Office in Olympia, WA.
The investigation is active and in its early stages so there is no additional detail available at this time.
Investigation and Process:
This update is required in compliance with WAC 139-12, which mandates weekly updates be sent out by the lead investigative agency in investigations where a Washington State Peace Officer uses deadly force in the capacity of his or her law enforcement duties. These updates are required even if no new information is available at the time of update.
With the passage of Washington State Initiative 940 in 2018, and Substitute House Bill 1064 in 2019, incidents where the use of deadly force by a peace officer results in death, substantial bodily harm, or great bodily harm require and independent investigation. This investigation must be conducted in the same manner as a criminal investigation and state law now requires an “independent investigation” completely independent of the involved agency.
Per WAC 139-12, the IIT is unable to release any criminal history related to the individual, which includes the cirumstances surrounding the initial contact, which prompted the law enforcement response. This information can only be released if specifically requested by media, and is able to be released with the Public Records Act Chapter 42.56 RCW.
