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Wiley City, WA – A terrifying drive-by shooting in Wiley City nearly turned tragic when a bullet struck a child’s car seat at head level, narrowly missing a 4-year-old boy. Authorities have arrested an 18-year-old Yakima man, believed to be affiliated with a street gang, in connection with the attack.
Yakima County sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of gunfire at Wiley City Market, located at 2929 S. Wiley Road, just before 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Upon arrival, they discovered nine 9mm shell casings scattered across the parking lot and street.
Shortly after the incident, a man contacted the sheriff’s office, reporting that he and his young son were in the vehicle when it was fired upon. The bullet that struck the child’s car seat was later pried out by the boy’s mother, and the child sustained minor scratches from shattered glass.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the victim stated that he made eye contact with the suspect while leaving the market. Moments later, the suspect backed up his vehicle before opening fire, striking the passenger window of the victim’s car.
Surveillance footage helped authorities identify the suspect’s vehicle, and a store employee confirmed that he was a regular customer. Police later arrested him at his home, where they found three shell casings inside his car.
The suspect has a history of violent threats, prosecutors revealed during a preliminary hearing on Wednesday. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John-Philip Schroeder detailed his past offenses, including a 2021 incident where he threatened to kill his father with an 8-inch knife at age 15. In 2024, he reportedly threatened to shoot his mother and other family members and was arrested in December for possessing a stolen firearm.
“This is a clear pattern of escalating violence,” Schroeder stated. “He’s gone from threats to carrying out acts of violence, even endangering innocent children.”
While pretrial services suggested supervised release, Judge Jeffery Swan ultimately set bail at $100,000, considering public safety concerns. The suspect faces multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree assault and one count of drive-by shooting.
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