Crime
Victim killed in shooting at Chesterley Skate Park in Yakima identified as 36-year-old Raul Macias
The victim of Monday evening’s deadly shooting at Chesterley Skate Park in Yakima has been identified as 36-year-old Raul R. Macias. Yakima Police Department officials say Macias was fatally shot in the presence of his three children around 7:20 p.m. on May 12.
According to a probable cause affidavit, police responded to reports of a gunshot victim at Chesterley Park, located at 3702 River Road.
Upon arrival, officers found Macias suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso while a bystander attempted CPR.
Despite continued lifesaving efforts by officers, paramedics pronounced Macias dead at the scene.
Witnesses reported that Macias had been in an argument with three individuals shortly before he was shot once by one of them.
A witness provided police with a photo of the suspects, one of whom was described as wearing red sweatpants and a red sweatshirt and allegedly pointed a firearm at the witness after the shooting.
Yakima police, assisted by Washington State Patrol and the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a search in the surrounding area.
Two of the suspects were located in the 3400 block of Chesterley Lane between residential homes.
As officers approached, the men attempted to flee by jumping a fence but were detained shortly after.
One was later released after refusing to cooperate; the other, identified as a 22-year-old Jesus Ramiro Rodriguez transient and alleged Norteño gang member, was taken into custody.
During the search, officers recovered a 9mm pistol, a revolver, and a 9mm shell casing believed to be connected to the shooting.
The suspect was booked into the Yakima County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, and second-degree assault. He is expected to make his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon.
Court records reveal that the suspect had a prior conviction for third-degree assault in 2019, following a violent altercation in which he body-slammed another juvenile.
As part of his sentence, his right to possess firearms was revoked. He was also previously involved in a 2024 domestic violence incident that further prohibited him from legally owning weapons.
Yakima Police Capt. Chad Janis noted that early evidence suggests the shooting may be gang-related. An autopsy on Raul Macias is scheduled to be performed this week in Benton County, according to Chief Deputy Coroner Marshall Slight.
Macias’ death marks the second homicide in Yakima in less than a week. Just two days prior, 37-year-old Richard E. Peterson was fatally shot in a separate incident.
Police arrested Ka-Sean A. Smalley in connection with that case. In total, there have been four homicides reported in Yakima and seven across Yakima County so far this year.
Authorities urge anyone with additional information or footage from the Chesterley Park shooting to contact Sgt. Noah Johnson at (509) 576-6874.
Crime
Victims Identified in Deadly Robeson County Mass Shooting
Two Dead, 13 Injured in Mass Shooting at Large Party in Robeson County, North Carolina
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night party in eastern North Carolina turned deadly early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that deputies were called to the scene on Dixon Drive, just outside the town of Maxton, at approximately 3:00 a.m. following reports of a shooting at a large outdoor gathering attended by more than 150 people.
When deputies arrived, chaos had already unfolded — witnesses said over 150 individuals fled the area before law enforcement could secure the scene.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Jessie Locklear and his son Nehemiah Locklear.
Several other victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
Sheriff Wilkins stated that, based on preliminary findings, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.
Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify all parties involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—or anyone who attended the gathering and witnessed the incident—to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Investigators at 910-671-3100.
“We know there were many people present when this occurred,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you saw something or know something, we need you to come forward to help bring justice to the victims and their families.”