On Sunday, June 6th at about 5:20 pm, Yakima police responded to the 2400 block of West Chestnut Ave regarding a report of a gunshot victim. Officers arrived and found a neighbor administering first aid to a 35-year-old man lying on the sidewalk suffering from two possible gunshot wounds.
The victim, Jonathan Spear, was quickly transported to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and subsequently flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for a higher level of care. His current medical condition is not known.
Spear told police he was working in his yard when he was shot.
Witnesses told police they saw a blue Ford Taurus speeding away from the area immediately after hearing the shots. Officers did locate a shell casing in the roadway near intersection of 24th Avenue and Chestnut Avenue.
Detectives from the Yakima Police Department’s (YPD) Major Crimes Unit and Gang Unit responded to the scene and continued to gather evidence and interview witnesses.
“There is no indication this is gang related and the motive is unclear at this time,” said YPD Captain Jay Seely.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the YPD 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 www.crimestoppersyakco.org, or through the “P3 Tips” app at http://p3intel.com/mobileapp.htm that can be downloaded for free.