On the night of September 15, 2022, Jose Uel Sanchez Jr., a 26-year-old Hispanic male from Tieton, Washington, was fatally shot while working as a security guard at El Asadero Bar & Grill in Yakima. The incident occurred around 11:15 p.m. in the 1100 block of South Third Street. Authorities who arrived at the scene discovered Sanchez with gunshot wounds to his torso. He was quickly transported to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Yakima County Coroner later confirmed that the cause of death was the gunshot wounds and officially ruled it a homicide.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Yakima police initiated an investigation that led to the arrest of two suspects. However, after reviewing the available evidence, which included surveillance footage and witness statements, the Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney's Office determined there was not enough evidence to counter a potential self-defense claim. Consequently, the two individuals were released from custody. This decision was met with anguish and frustration from Sanchez's family, who believe the shooting was not justified.
According to a cousin, the confrontation that led to the fatal shooting began when Sanchez, in his capacity as a security guard, denied entry to an underage individual. The family member described Sanchez as a devoted father to his young son, a man who was dedicated to his family and always willing to help others. The investigation into his death remains open, and police have continued to seek additional evidence, including any cellphone footage of the altercation, to shed more light on the circumstances that led to the tragic death of Jose Sanchez.
