Yakima Sheriff’s Office Hunts for Suspect in Orchard Killing

The Yakima County Sheriff's Office is looking for a suspect they've identified in the August 4 fatal shooting death of a 55-year-old man in a Sunnyside orchard.

THE VICTIM IDENTIFIED

The Yakima County Coroner's Office says the victim was 55-year-old Naul Arellano who was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds. A press release from the Yakima County Sheriff's Office says the shooting happened in an orchard in the area of Maple Grove Rd and Chaffee Rd in the rural area of Sunnyside.

Get our free mobile app

AN ARREST WARRANT ISSUED

The Sheriff's Office has released pictures of the suspect identified as 29-year-old Miguel Angel Granados-Vargas from Sunnyside. A warrant has been issued for his arrest on a charge of 2nd Degree Murder. Authorities say Arellano saw the suspect in the orchard and drove an ATV into the orchard to investigate but he was found a short time later dead from multiple gunshot wounds.

WHERE IS HE?

If anyone sees the suspect or knows where he is, sheriff's officials say "please do not try to contact him, as he might have a firearm. Instead, call 911."
If anyone has any information regarding this homicide, please call Detective Bazan at (509) 574-2569 or provide CrimeStoppers tips at www.crimestoppersyakco.org

A 16-YEAR-OLD SUSPECT

A 16-year-old suspect faces adult charges in connection with the July 22 fatal shooting that took the life of 35-year-old Jorge Alvarado. The shooting happened at Yakima's Miller Park. According to the Yakima County Prosecutor's Office Ernesto Arias of Yakima was arrested two days after the shooting.

CHARGED AS AN ADULT

He's currently being held at the Yakima County Juvenile Justice Center where bail is set at $250,000. He's facing charges of second-degree murder and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Because of his age and the charges Washington State law says he'll face the charges as an adult.  Authorities say the shooting followed an argument at the park between Arias and Alvarado in which police say Arias threatened to kill Alvarado before pulling out a gun and firing a fatal shot.

STILL SEARCHING FOR SUSPECT

Meanwhile Yakima Police are still searching for a suspect in a fatal shooting last month, July 24 in the area of 72nd and Tieton at the Taco Bell restaurant. The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Zuriel Pollicino of Yakima. Authorities say the Pollicino died of a single gunshot wound at the scene of the shooting.
So far no arrest has been made.