Arrest warrant issued in 2008 gang-related death

YAKIMA, Wash. — An arrest warrant has been issued for a 19-year-old man who is suspected of being the shooter in the gang-related death of a Wapato youngster last year.

The warrant charging Delfino Benson with first-degree murder was filed in Yakima County Superior Court this afternoon.

Benson lives in the Wapato area.

Sheriff’s detectives on Friday arrested a Union Gap mother, her son and another teenager in connection with the same case.

Investigators say witnesses tell them the 45-year-old mother was driving as the group cruised around the Wapato area Nov. 18. They were looking for gang rivals to attack in retaliation for a fatal gang shooting in Sunnyside, according to the arrest report.

The group stopped in the 4500 block of North Track Road when they spotted victim Ricky Cabrera and a friend, who were walking to a nearby market from Cabrera’s house.

Investigators say Benson opened fire, hitting Cabrera. He was declared dead at Toppenish Community Hospital.

The arrest report suggests that the attackers recognized Cabrera’s friend as a rival gang member.

Cabrera’s relatives acknowledge that his brothers are involved in gangs, but they say they had tried to keep Cabrera from the lifestyle.

Stew Graham, chief of detectives for the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, said a new witness came forward  Friday to provide information that resulted in the arrests.

He said at least some of those arrested had been interviewed in the earlier stages of the investigation.

— Mark Morey