No gang unrest seen at youth's funeral in Wapato


Yakima Herald-Republic

WAPATO — Despite rumors of coming violence, a slain teenager’s funeral and burial went off without incident today.

Police from the city of Yakima’s gang enforcement division joined Wapato police and Yakima County sheriff’s deputies in patrolling the area outside St. Peter Claver Catholic Church and later outside the Reservation Community Memorial Park where 16-year-old Ricardo Cabrera was interred.

Cabrera was shot and killed last Wednesday in a drive-by outside his home at 4501 N. Track Road in Wapato. Police believe the shooting was gang-related.

Wapato police believe Cabrera’s killing led to heightened gang tensions at Wapato High School and were concerned that violence could occur at the funeral.

One sheriff’s deputy sat parked across from the church for the funeral’s duration. Another sat parked down the block watching through binoculars as guests arrived.

But despite “RIP Ricky” graffiti on an adjacent building memorializing Cabrera, and despite some mourners gesturing with what appeared to be gang hand-signs outside the church, there were no incidents.

-- Posted by Pat Muir



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