Police: Man found dead in Downtown Yakima was beaten
YAKIMA, Wash. -- A murder in Downtown Yakima seems to have police puzzled. They have not been able to identify the man who was killed or find whoever did it. Action News learned the man was beaten and had puncture wounds.
The body went undiscovered for hours in one of the busiest parts of the city.
A body found near some of the most upscale restaurants in the city is not something Jose Buno ever expected.
"I've lived here for 15 years and never seen this happen before," Buno said. "Especially this area in Yakima, so it's scary for all the people."
"Are you scared to walk around?" KIMA asked.
"Not really, occasionally," said Jaime Maldonado who lives in Yakima. "I used to be a little looking behind my back every once in awhile but not really."
Investigators find themselves looking for a killer.
Police said the man died Monday night, but it took hours until they got word of his body laying on a planter along Front Street.
They aren't indicating how he was killed other than there are signs of trauma to his face.
"The fact that he was murdered right off the street, off the sidewalk on a planter in plain view - I might say that's a little odd," said Rod Light, Yakima police captain.
Yakima police thought they identified the victim by matching him with someone in the department's database. A fingerprint check later ruled out the match.
Police are not yet saying whether this was an isolated attack and don't have a motive.
So far, investigators say gangs were not behind the murder.
That's not enough to make people around here feel any better.
"It kinda makes you think, I don't want my kids walking down these alleys and all that," Maldonado said.
For now, police try to follow whatever trail there is in order to track down whoever was behind this murder on Front Street.
An autopsy on the victim is expected Thursday. His identity may be released before then.
Stay with Action News, KIMATV.com, Facebook & Twitter for updates.
@kimatv
http://www.kimatv.com/news/local/Yakima-in-top-tier-for-crime-rate-135357163.html
I just had some enchiladas. They were great.
â%s: Body found in downtown %s parking lot %s40V v%satvâ What is happening to Yakima. This is scary!
Forget a higher crime rate than Seattle. We have a higher crime rate than Detroit.
Pretty sure KIMA put up the Update Link so people could go directly to their updates rather than read thru everyone's complaints on this thread...Most likely they are waiting to confirm from their resources instead of making assumptions and then getting blamed or complaints that their info was wrong...people complain because they don't report soon enough, then they complain because they report something that may have a slight correction, Again...KIMA...Thank you for keeping us up to date on what you can!
I was born and raised in Yakima and it wasn't always like this I remember sleeping in the living room during the summer with the door wide open I don't know anyone that would do that now and I don't care if your in the ghetto or in the rich neighborhoods this is happening all around Yakima
Awesome Thad! I totally believe you
I bet they all sit in their offices laughing about how many idiots find something to argue about every time they post something. Reading the mass amounts of stupid comments on their posts makes me more concerned about my city than the gangs and murders y'all complain about.
Jessyca, I'm a french model. :D
craazzy
Even if you move, death is everywhere, its a part of life unfortunately!
Yea it IS a update! What else would new info be? Duh. What ever.
Will it ever stop. I need to move all of these deaths are all so close to home. I want to feel safe :(
KIMA this is no update lol!
Mysterious death does not necessarily mean it was a murder or gang related that's what people tend to forget
so sorry
May this annonymous person rest in peace and justice if any needs to be served..Why ya'll fighting over crime rate and drug dealers...We have them, theyre everywhere so get over it..If you dont associate with them then you should not have anything to worry about..When you live that lifestyle it is going to happen
Death happens small or big city... What doesn't need to happen is taking very vague updates put on Facebook and creating your own story based on nothing more than opinions you have.
Mmmmmm WINE!
booo.. hoooo.hoooo.hoooo. grow up everyone.. do you need some wine.. sound like a bunch of kids...lol
Why is a suspicious death becoming a debate about crime rates? It is what it is there is absolutely nothing we can do but pray for the families...us as people of the community can only do our own part to keep it safe not try to tell everyone else what THEY need to do to keep it safe...CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG????????
how did this happen kima action news
Did they find the body by one of those beautiful flower planters?????
I would like to know where the perfect city is. I have lived on the east coast the south the midwest and Montana and every where had murder gangs rape you know crime. Yakima has been a great place for me and my family:)
Thanks for the info KIMA and thanks YPD for investigating...
And unless youre a therapist I don't think you have any standing to tell others they are in denial. Sounds like you're in some denial yourself
Shannon we DO NOT have more.. We have more for OUR SIZE but no more THAN larger cities.. Calm down.. If you don't like it and don't want to be around it, I have a simple solution for you, MOVE. Or if you're so informed on how to fix this issue how about you take care of it.. Thanks Mrs. Knowitall
Hmmm- I wonder what happened this time.
Google always gives correct facts.. It's on the Internet cause its true. They can't put anything on the Internet that isnt true. It says so on the Internet
Crime in yakima is the same as it has been for years the only difference is its more televised these days than it was in the past. As far as having a higher murder rater than Seattle, that's understandable due to the fact that Yakima is smaller which means a more concentrated area as opposed to a area that spans out.
Don't be in denial about the crime rate in our area compared to other much larger cities or even ones that are the same size...we need to acknowledge the problems and not ignore them.
Ami Darling
And How do you propose we "THE PEOPLE" Do that? Neighborhood watch? HAHA
Wow Yakima.
Thank u KIMA for keeping us informed
As everyone is fond of saying..."Google it!"
Please, tell me where in our country that death doesn't happen, either by accident, natural causes, homicide, or murder. I would love to live in that fantasy town.
Way to take it back half a century, Russ.
Wow thats sad.
Oh shannon... Yet again.. Leave it to the professionals
Unfortunately, if you look at crime rate statistics you will find that per capita murder rates in Yakima are higher than Seattle! Yes, it happens everywhere but not at our higher rate. It is time for the good citizens of Yakima to wake up and take back our city from the bad ones!
I ment hang.
It would stop if we would hand the killers and stop giving life sentences!
And I say the same thing every time something happens and people start saying crap...... You know where the freeway is....No one is holding you hostage in Yakima you are here by choice So calm down pray for the families involved and HAVE A GREAT DAY!
Lol Brad Horton...
Suspicious doesn't mean murder. All of you FB Private Investigators need to take it down a notch.
OMG it Never freaken stops!
Love that cop. He comes into my work and eats all the time. (: Super nice guy.
I agree with you Rhonda. Yakima is small so we here about it more...