Shooter sought in year-old Wapato slaying

WAPATO, Wash. -- Nearly a year after a Wapato youth was fatally shot less than a block from home, authorities have issued an arrest warrant for a 19-year old man they believe was the shooter.

The warrant charging Delfino Juan Benson with first-degree murder and attempted murder was filed Monday in Yakima County Superior Court. Benson has recently been dividing his time between homes in Wapato and Union Gap, authorities say.

On Friday, sheriff's detectives arrested a Union Gap woman, her 19-year-old son and a 13-year-old Wapato boy in connection with the Nov. 18 shooting of 16-year-old Ricky Cabrera. They are being held on pending charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder.

Maria Cabrera said her family is finally beginning to feel some relief as the investigation into her son's death wraps up.

"It's about to be a year later," she said in an interview Monday evening. "Everything seems to be going backwards. You begin to relive everything."

The case had a major break last week when a witness came forward with new information, said Stew Graham, chief of detectives for the Yakima County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators say witnesses told them that the 45-year-old mother was driving the group around the Wapato on Nov. 18. According to the arrest report, they were looking for gang rivals to attack in retaliation for another fatal shooting in Sunnyside.

The group stopped in the 4500 block of North Track Road when they spotted Cabrera and a friend, walking to a convenience store near the Cabrera home.

Investigators say Benson opened fire, hitting Cabrera. He died 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.

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

Benson is 5 feet 10 inches tall and 160 pounds.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts may call the sheriff's office at 509-574-2500.

* Yakima Herald-Republic reporter Melissa Sánchez contributed to this report.

* Mark Morey can be reached at 509-577-7671 or mmorey@yakimaherald.com.