Garret Riel Charged with Murder & Carjacking Spree Following Fatal Yakima Apartment Shooting

An apartment in the 1300 block of West King St. was known as a hub for late-night parties and get-togethers. In the early morning hours of September 26, a gambling game raged with 9 participants. The exact situation is unknown, but the apartment owner, Jeremy S. Menafree (age 53), made an inflammatory remark to an already agitated Garret Jax Riel (age 28). Riel, using a stolen gun, shot and killed Menafree.

Black playing cards with gold aces, poker chips, and dice on dark surface

The Chase

The people dispersed, and Riel fled the scene. Menafree’s stepson heard the commotion from next door and called his grandmother, who promptly called the police. The police arrived at the apartment and found Menafree’s dead body with a single gunshot wound to the chest.

Riel was a wanted man for 48 hours, but a crime spree two days later on the 28th gave him away. Wanting to get out of town quickly, Riel tried to steal a car in the 800 block of S. 19th Avenue. He tried to pull the driver out but was unsuccessful, and the police were called during the struggle. Riel fled the cops by slipping into a basement in a nearby home.

Charges

The homeowner wasn’t having it and dragged Riel out by hand, turning him over to the YPD. Prosecutors charged him with second-degree murder, attempted robbery, criminal trespass, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of a stolen firearm.

READ MORE: WHAT ARE THIEVES STEALING FROM CARS IN WASHINGTON?

Standing before a judge on Sept. 30, he was locked up with a massive $1.05 million bail. His arraignment was today.