Sunnyside Gang Member Could Face Charges As Adult
Will a 13-year Sunnyside gang member be tried as an adult after being is accused of shooting five people during a Cinco de Mayo festival in Sunnyside earlier this month? The teen is being held at the Yakima County Juvenile Justice Center on suspicion of five counts of First Degree Assault in connection with the May 6 incident in Sunnyside as the investigation continues.
Brusic says it's possible the teen could face charges as an adult
Yakima County Prosecutor Joe Brusic says "yes, we can file for a discretionary decline on a 13 year old. He could be tried as an adult for the shooting. Of course, to decline a juvenile at that age would be very difficult - he/she would have to be involved fairly heavily in the criminal justice system." Brusic continues "Back in the day, I filed a decline motion on a 13 year old on a murder charge and was successful getting him to adult court."
Police spoke with 7 juveniles after the shooting
After the shooting officers took two juveniles into custody at the event and 5 others were detained at a home in the 600 block of Harrison Avenue in Sunnyside. While police found a gun inside the house the 7 juveniles were released to their parents as the investigation continued. It's unknown if more arrests are possible.
One gang member shooting at another in the crowd May 6
Last Wednesday police announced the arrest of the 13-year-old suspect. Police say the shooter is a known gang member in the Sunnyside area and was shooting at another gang member who was in the crowd at the event on May 6. The shots struck a 35-year-old man in the leg and a 12-year-old boy was shot in the lip and tongue. Another
6-year-old girl was shot in the leg, and boys, ages 14 and 16, were shot in the legs.The investigation continues today.