Investigation into police-involved shooting in Yakima in March concluded | News

YAKIMA, Washington – A Yakima Valley Special Investigations Unit (YVSIU) investigation into a March 14 police-involved shooting in Yakima has been completed.

The results of the investigation into the alleged shooting of an armed suspect by Yakima police Officer Alam Martinez have been turned over to Yakima County District Attorney Joseph Brusic.

According to a press release from YVSUI, YPD was called to North Fourth Street and East G Street around 7:10 a.m. The caller reported seeing his vehicle stolen.

Officers located the vehicle and confirmed it was stolen. They attempted to stop it, but the driver refused to stop and a short chase ensued.

The driver, identified as Victor Gomez, 31, stopped in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 1200 block of Buwalda Lane when a supervisor called off the pursuit due to state law at the time. Gomez reportedly exited the vehicle and ran into a courtyard of the complex.

The press release claims Gomez pulled out a gun and officers ordered him to drop it. Witnesses say Gomez did not drop the gun but aimed it at Officer Alam Martinez, who shot him three times.

Gomez is believed to have run away after dropping the weapon and was found on the ground at the intersection of Buwalda Lane and Thornton Lane. He was taken to hospital and treated for his injuries. He is now in custody awaiting trial.

Gomez is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing, second-degree assault, illegal possession of a weapon and possession of a stolen firearm.

Martinez was previously investigated for another police-involved shooting on May 3, 2023.