Police Identify Victim Find Suspect Vehicle in Monday Homicide

Yakima Police have identified a man killed in a fatal shooting on Monday as 37-year-old Anthony Rodriguez a transient from Yakima. Authorities also say they've been able to recover the suspect vehicle and evidence in the vehicle that could tie the driver to the scene. But no suspect has yet been found. Capt. Jay Seely says officers were called to the Motel 6 on Staff Sgt. Pendleton Way Monday afternoon where they found Rodriguez on a sidewalk. He'd been shot once in the chest. He was able to speak to officers before he died telling them he was shot by someone who drove through the area. The shooting was caught on security cameras so police were able to identify the suspect vehicle. It was found Tuesday morning at 110 South Naches Avenue. The license plate had been removed. Police with the gang and major crimes units are now canvassing neighborhoods looking for information on the shooter to make an arrest. Police aren't saying why Rodriguez was shot or if the shooting had anything to do with drugs or gangs.

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Yakima Police are investigating the cities latest homicide reported Monday afternoon. Officers were called to the Motel 6 at 1010 Staff Sgt. Pendleton Way at 3:24 p.m. for a report of a gunshot victim. When they arrived they found a 37-year-old man, described by police as a local transient on a sidewalk. The man had been shot in the chest. Officers on the scene gave him first aid as he was able to talk to them and say someone shot him as they were driving through the area. The man, who has not been identified died at the scene of the shooting. The Yakima Police Department Major Crimes Unit and Gang Unit are now investigating the homicide. Authorities say Motel 6 has surveillance cameras and video was taken of the scene. They say the shooting was captured on video so that will help in the ongoing investigation. The investigation into Monday's homicide continues Today.
If you know anything about the shooting call Yakima Police at 575-6200.
Police say this was the second incident at a local motel involving a gun in the past week. Last Thursday officers were called to a hotel in the 1500 block of North 1st Street regarding a shots fired incident. Police determined it was a fight between two men. No one was injured and no arrests were made.

Police say they're thankful that some businesses in the city have surveillance camera systems that help with security and help police when incidents like a shooting happen.

Police say Monday's shooting was the third homicide reported within Yakima city limits so far this year.