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As part of his sentence, his right to possess firearms was revoked.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
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.