Charlie Jiminez

On the evening of May 5, 2023, a quiet residential street in Wapato, Washington, became the scene of sudden and fatal violence. Charlie Jiminez, a 34-year-old Hispanic / Latino man, was standing in the front yard of a home on Wasco Avenue when two vehicles approached. Occupants from inside the cars opened fire, unleashing a barrage of shots at Mr. Jiminez before speeding away from the scene.

A neighbor who heard the gunfire called 911 to report the shooting and that Mr. Jiminez had been gravely wounded. He had been struck multiple times in his leg, abdomen, and chest. In a desperate attempt to save his life, he was rushed from the scene in a private vehicle, but his injuries were too severe. He succumbed to them while en route to the hospital. Officers from the Wapato Police Department and detectives from the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office immediately secured the area and launched a homicide investigation.

The investigation quickly developed leads when detectives canvassed the neighborhood and discovered security footage that had captured the two suspect vehicles. A short time later, a Toppenish Police Officer spotted one of the vehicles and began a pursuit. The chase ended when the driver lost control and crashed near the town of Buena. Three occupants fled the wrecked car on foot, but law enforcement officers soon apprehended all of them.

Following the arrests, the Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney's Office filed charges against two of the individuals. Joel Campos-Dones, 20, of Toppenish, and Xavier Randall, 19, of Granger, were each charged with second-degree murder and drive-by shooting. Both were booked into the Yakima County Jail, and a judge set their bail at one million dollars each. A third person who had been taken into custody was later released. The case against the two charged men is now proceeding through the court system. Authorities have stated that the investigation remains active as they continue to search for the second vehicle and any other people who may have been involved.