On the evening of November 8, 2024, in the parking lot of a Safeway on Nob Hill Boulevard in Yakima, Washington, the life of 18-year-old Hispanic/Latino male Emuel Santos was tragically cut short. Another young man, 20-year-old Aaron Lamas, also lost his life in the violent encounter that unfolded around 6:30 PM.
According to accounts pieced together from security camera footage, Santos and Lamas had parked their vehicle next to another car in the lot.
They subsequently entered the adjacent vehicle, where Cesar Guzman, 20, and Hector Estrada, 21, were seated in the front. Shortly after Santos and Lamas got into the back seat, a violent struggle broke out inside the car, leading to multiple gunshots.
The footage revealed Santos exiting the vehicle and exchanging gunfire with one of the individuals from the other car before he was fatally shot. Lamas was also seen getting out of the car and was then reportedly assaulted by the two suspects. As Lamas tried to run away, he was shot. First responders found Santos deceased at the scene, while Lamas was rushed to Multicare Yakima Memorial Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Guzman and Estrada fled the scene but were apprehended by Yakima Police shortly after the incident. Both suspects had sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and received medical treatment before being taken into custody. They are currently being held in the Yakima County Jail and are facing charges of Second Degree Murder. Initially, the suspects claimed that Santos and Lamas had attempted to rob them during a casual meeting to smoke marijuana. However, this narrative was contradicted by the evidence captured on the security footage. While the exact motive is still under investigation, authorities believe the deadly shooting may have occurred during a drug deal. The investigation remains ongoing, and police have urged anyone with information to come forward.
