Man Shot By Police Was Holding a Replica Gun

Rocendo Arias, who was shot by a Yakima Police Officer Saturday morning , was holding what appeared to be a gun, and his hand was on the trigger. That from Yakima Police Captain Rod Light.  Arias was shot by Officer Casey Gillette Saturday morning while sitting in a car at 3 am outside a car wash on East Nob Hill. Turns out the gun was only a replica, but according to Captain Light, Officer Gillette had no way of knowing that.

Four shots were fired by Officer Gillette. Yakima County Coroner Jack Hawkins said Arias died from a single gunshot wound to the head.  A citizen who was riding along with
officer Gillette has already been  interviewed. Officer Gillette cannot be interviewed until 48 hours after the shooting.

Officer Gillette was on routine patrol when he noticed the car suspiciously parked in the lot.  He cam back an hour later and decided to get out of his car and check out the vehicle.  He opened the passenger side door and that's when the shooting took place. After the police investigation, it will be turned over to Yakima County Prosecutor Jim Hagerty and he will determine if the shooting was justified.