In the early evening of November 8, 2024, a tragic and violent encounter in the parking lot of a Safeway on Nob Hill Boulevard in Yakima, Washington, claimed the life of 18-year-old Emmanuel Santos, a Hispanic male. The incident, which unfolded around 6:30 PM, also resulted in the death of 20-year-old Aaron Lamas.
Security footage from the grocery store captured the moments leading up to the fatal shooting. Santos and Lamas were seen arriving in a vehicle and parking next to another car.
The two then entered the adjacent vehicle, occupied by two other men. Shortly after, a struggle broke out inside the car, and gunshots were fired.
The chaotic scene spilled out into the parking lot. Santos was seen exiting the vehicle and exchanging gunfire with one of the occupants of the other car before he was fatally shot. Lamas also exited the vehicle and was physically assaulted by the two suspects before being shot as he attempted to flee the scene. When police arrived, they found Santos deceased. Lamas was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Shortly after the shooting, police apprehended two suspects, identified as 20-year-old Cesar Guzman and 21-year-old Hector Estrada. Both suspects had sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds during the altercation and were treated at a hospital before being taken into custody.
Initially, Guzman and Estrada claimed that Santos and Lamas had attempted to rob them during a casual meeting to smoke marijuana. However, the surveillance footage contradicted their account of the events. Investigators believe the shooting may have occurred during a drug deal. Guzman and Estrada are currently being held in the Yakima County Jail, facing charges of Second Degree Murder as the investigation by the Yakima Police Department continues.
