On the morning of March 26, 2016, in Yakima, Washington, a tragedy unfolded in the parking lot of a Moneytree payday lending store. Martha Martinez, a 30-year-old Hispanic female, and her colleague, Karina Morales-Rodrigues, were ambushed and fatally shot as they arrived to open the business for the day. The Yakima Police Department responded to the scene around 6:15 a.m.
to find both women deceased from gunshot wounds.
The investigation quickly identified a suspect: Manuel Verduzco, a former employee of the same Moneytree branch. Surveillance footage from the store captured the attack, which aided police in his identification. Verduzco was apprehended later that same day at his parents' home in Selah. Investigators believe the motive for the brutal crime was a robbery. Evidence suggested that Verduzco had planned the attack, waiting for the employees to arrive that morning. He first shot Morales-Rodrigues while she was still in her car and then shot Martinez as she attempted to flee.
Following his arrest, Manuel Verduzco was booked into the Yakima County Jail. The Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney's Office filed charges against him for two counts of aggravated first-degree murder. The shocking and violent nature of the crime sent ripples of grief and fear through the Yakima community. Vigils were held to honor the memories of Martha Martinez and Karina Morales-Rodrigues, as friends, family, and community members came together to mourn their senseless deaths. The case drew significant media attention, highlighting the profound impact of the loss on their loved ones.
