RSSMan admits pulling trigger in Terrace Heights killing
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- A 29-year-old man admitted Monday that he fatally shot a 19-year-old Yakima man at a Terrace Heights party early Sunday, Yakima County sheriff's detectives said.
The man contends that he shot Eriberto Lopez in self-defense, and he was released as the investigation continues, said Chief of Detectives Stew Graham.
Without disclosing details, Graham said some physical evidence supports the shooter's account. The dead man was shot inside a home in the 200 block of Butterfield Road, but the shooter does not live there, Graham said.
The man was attending the party when a confrontation developed with others who wanted to crash the party without paying a $2 cup charge.
Contrary to initial reports from the sheriff's office, the shooter was not one of the party crashers, Graham confirmed. The dead man's role remained under investigation; Graham said detectives were considering the possibility he was one of the party crashers.
Graham said more gunfire took place outside the home after Lopez was wounded. That part of the incident remains under investigation.
Lopez's death was the 12th homicide of the year in Yakima County. An autopsy is planned for today.
Detectives are still hoping to talk to more people with information about the case. The sheriff's office can be reached at 509-574-2500.
He was released? What is that about the other day they take in three young men for doing a drive by, and now they are in Juvi, which no one got murdered or injured, but this man actually shot someone and the man who got shot died. What is wrong with our police?
Report ViolationI remember a comment by someone ranking on other comments a day or so ago on another article that involved the shooting of another ganger. The commenter said that everyone else was mean for taking the position that the victim knew the risks and deserved what he got - the mentioned that a "life is priceless".
No it's not - in this case, it was worth $2.00. In many of those others, it was worth nothing at all.
Hey...and if someone tried to kill you, and pulled a gun out on you, and you defended yourself...would you want to be in jail? Think about it. If they put YOU in jail, you would be the one to say, "I acted in self defense. Why am I in jail?" Followed by, "What's wrong with our system?"
The three juv's who were involved in the drive by the other day will probably get a MONTH in jail! YEAH..THAT'S OUR JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM! Good thing we have one, because God only knows what our society would look like if our juveniles weren't actually disciplined when they commited a crime. Oh wait a minute - a majority of the GANG PROBLEMS in Yakima are JUVENILES. So, it's not a POLICE issue. It's a court system issue! Police do their job and once people are arrested, then it's left up to attorney's and judges see to it that these little brats get what they deserve.
People still have a lawful right to protect themselves.
Having said that, I'm going to finish my coffee and sit back and continue to watch bangers take bangers out.
I say if you are going to pull a gun out and shoot it at someone like an adult. You should sit in prison like an adult. Period.
What is a 29 year old doing a kids party anyways. I know things seem pretty unclear now, but come on..
It appears he acted in self defense and if he did the bravo and rightfully so.
I am curious if he was in possession of a CPL and if he had any training in self defense with a handgun?
If indeed he acted with in the law, we need more like him that will act correctly and protect himself and others when provided by law.
It is time that these gangbangers think twice before attacking someone, they may well be trained and armed, I know I am and I will defend myself, family or those in my presence.
Hmmm, what about the time line of all of this. Shoots him dead early Sunday and admits to it on Monday as self defense?
I am all good with a self defense situation and wouldn't miss a beat defending my or my families life, but I would be one of the first 9-1-1 callers reporting it!
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