Yakima Police Monitor for Potential Gang Violence This Winter

Less than a month into the new year and so far no major gang related crime reported in Yakima. Over the past 6 to 12 months, the Yakima Police Department has seen a notable decline in local gang activity. Similar to all of 2025 when gang activity and major gang shootings were rare.

SO WHAT'S GOING ON? WHY NO MAJOR CLASHES?

While officials acknowledge the drop in gang crime, they say there is no single explanation beyond ongoing law enforcement efforts. But authorities remind everyone things could change overnight. According to Yakima Police, colder weather and school have helped keep many teenagers and young adults occupied, contributing to a lull in gang or drug-related clashes.

READ MORE: IS IT TIME TO SHUT DOWN YAKIMA VALLEY TROLLEYS?

THINGS COULD CHANGE IN AN INSTANT

However, a mild winter could see more gang activity with more young people on the streets of Yakima. The Yakima Police gang unit continues to monitor street activity hoping to stop potential shootings and conflicts among local gangs.

SEVERAL GANG RELATED SHOOTINGS DID GRAB HEADLINES IN 2025

In December of last year a 16-year-old was shot and killed in a gang related clash near 20th and Englewood. Before that it was in May when police say a local Norteños Gang member shot dead another man at Yakima's Chesterly Skate Park in the middle of a sunny May day. The gang member was arrested but no arrest was made in the shooting of the 16-year-old.

TWO MAJOR GANG SHOOTINGS IN 2024

Perhaps the most significant gang shooting over the last 2 years was a tragic shooting in November of 2024 that resulted in the deaths of 18-year-old Emmanuel Santos and 20-year-old Aaron Lamas. The two were killed in what authorities described as a drug deal gone wrong at a Safeway parking lot on Nob Hill Blvd. Two suspects were arrested and charged with murder.

AN UNSOLVED GANG RELATED MURDER IN SUNNYSIDE

Earlier, in February 2024, Sunnyside Police investigated the murder of two young brothers in Sunnyside, identified as 13-year-old Isaac Hernandez and 17-year-old Maurice Hernandez. The brothers were shot dead in their vehicle on East Edison Avenue while their mother was inside a nearby store. Authorities suspect gang involvement and continue to seek the shooter or shooters responsible for the incident.
With spring like weather in the valley police say gang activity could increase at anytime. So far however it's been a quiet police hope to keep it that way in 2026.