On a Thursday evening in Yakima, Washington, a tragic event unfolded that would cut short the life of Oscar Ricardo Hondal-Lopez, a 30-year-old Caucasian male. On June 10, 2021, at approximately 6:25 pm, what began as a search for a new home turned into a scene of violence in the 1200 block of Cornell Avenue. Hondal-Lopez and a 26-year-old woman were in their black Chevrolet Impala when they were pursued by a white, four-door sedan carrying four individuals.
The pursuit ended in a hail
of gunfire, with at least 11 shots fired into the Impala as the white sedan passed it. Hondal-Lopez was struck in the neck. Despite the immediate response of officers and paramedics who rendered first aid, his injuries proved fatal, and he died at the scene. His companion was shot in the hip but survived after being treated at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and later released. After the shooting, the Impala veered off the road and crashed into a fence and a parked car.
The investigation that followed, led by detectives from the Yakima Police Department's Major Crimes and Gang Units, quickly pointed to a case of mistaken identity. It is believed that the occupants of the white sedan were gang members who wrongfully perceived Hondal-Lopez and his companion as members of a rival gang. The couple had reportedly been confronted by the individuals and asked about their gang affiliation. Concerned for their safety, they attempted to leave the area, which led to the fatal chase.
In the course of the investigation, authorities made at least one arrest. A 19-year-old male was taken into custody on a charge of rendering criminal assistance after he allegedly hid the suspect vehicle. While the main suspects, including the shooter or shooters, were identified by police, who expressed confidence that more arrests would be made, their ultimate apprehension was not immediately detailed. The investigation was aided by residential security camera footage that captured the shooting.
