YAKIMA, Wash. – An investigation by the Yakima Valley Special Investigations Unit (YVSIU) on an officer-involved shooting from March 14 in Yakima has concluded.
The results of an investigation into Yakima Police Officer Alam Martinez’s alleged shooting of an armed suspect has been given to Yakima County Prosecutor Joseph Brusic.
According to a press release from YVSUI, YPD was called to North Fourth Street and East G Street at around 7:10 a.m. The caller reported that they had seen their stolen vehicle.
Officers found the vehicle and confirmed it had been stolen. They attempted to stop it, but the driver refused to stop and a short chase ensued.
The driver, identified as Victor Gomez, 31, stopped in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 1200 block of Buwalda Lane right as a supervisor called off the chase due to the state law at the time. Gomez reportedly got out of the vehicle and ran into a courtyard at the complex.
The press release alleges that Gomez pulled out a handgun, which officers commanded him to drop. Witnesses say Gomez did not drop the gun and pointed it at Officer Alam Martinez, who shot at him three times.
Gomez reportedly ran away after dropping the gun and was found on the ground at the intersection of Buwalda Lane and Thornton Lane. He was brought to the hospital and treated for his injuries and is now in custody waiting for trial.
Gomez is facing charges of possessing a stolen vehicle, eluding, second degree assault, unlawful firearm possession and possession of a stolen firearm.
Martinez has previously been investigated for a different officer-involved shooting from May 3, 2023.
