Yakima police have identified the victim of a homicide that occurred early Sunday morning on Sliger Road as 16-year-old David Martinez.
Yakima police were dispatched to the 1800 block of Sliger Road shortly before 2:00 am on Sunday, April 21st following reporters of shots fired. Witnesses told police Martinez was walking to a residence on Sliger Road along with two other juvenile males and two juvenile females. While walking to the residence, Martinez and the group he was with were allegedly confronted by two men armed with guns. The armed men purportedly pointed guns at Martinez and the group he was with. A fight between the two armed men and some of the members of the group Martinez was with apparently broke out. Martinez was shot several times and was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the fight, one of the armed men who confronted Martinez and the group he was with was shot. After being transported to a local hospital, the 19-year-old man was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment. He remains at Harbor View in critical condition. His name is not being released pending the processing of charging documents.
Another suspect in the homicide remains at large. Police continue to investigate the incident.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Yakima Police Department at (509) 575-6200 or by calling 9-1-1. Tips can be also be reported to Yakima County Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-248-9980, on the organization’s website at crimestoppersyakco.org, or through the “P3 Tips” app that can be downloaded for free at p3intel.com/.