Ramiro Sanchez Cruz, 53, was found shot inside his van on April 25, 2023, in an alley in the 700 block of South Seventh Street in Yakima, Washington. He had been living in the van for three days and was transporting his two young children, ages 4 and 7, who were asleep in the vehicle when the shooting occurred. Cruz was taken to MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital and died of a gunshot wound to the head.

Witnesses reported two vehicles pulling into the alley and three men exiting, yelling at Sanchez-Cruz, while one of the men carried a bat. As Cruz tried to drive away a single gunshot was heard and the two other vehicles left the scene. Video surveillance placed a car belonging to the children’s mother’s ex-girlfriend at the location. Investigators said the incident appeared tied to a personal conflict involving a new boyfriend of the children’s mother; a tip to Crime Stoppers identified a suspect who was later arrested and charged.

If anyone saw the vehicles or the men in that alley on April 25, 2023, or has information about the confrontation, please share it with Yakima investigators.