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As part of his sentence, his right to possess firearms was revoked.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
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.