Landynn Nyte Lewis, 17, was shot in the head late on June 24, 2024, in the parking lot of Tony’s Big Cheese Pizza on West Nob Hill Boulevard in Yakima. He was in the driver’s seat of a Jeep and was taken to MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital, then transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle; he died from his injuries on June 25, 2024. Five other minors were in the vehicle and suffered only minor shrapnel injuries. Family members say Landynn was a respectful, loving young man who was trying to drive his family to safety when the shots were fired.

Police arrested 21-year-old Angel Cristo Ayala of Yakima at the scene and initially booked him on six counts of first-degree assault; bail was set at $250,000. Authorities called the shooting gang involved and identified Ayala as a documented Norteño gang member, though there is no suggestion Landynn or the other vehicle occupants were in a gang. Ayala told police he acted in self-defense, saying the Jeep sped toward him and a friend; officers say he admitted showing gang signs before firing a 10mm Glock. A GoFundMe was set up to help the family with funeral and other expenses.

Does anyone have information about what happened that night or saw events in the Tony’s Big Cheese Pizza parking lot?