Former Employee Charged in Fatal Yakima Moneytree Shooting

A 26-year-old Selah man, who was a former employee at the store, has been formally charged with aggravated murder and burglary in connection with the fatal shooting of two women employees last Saturday. The shocking murder garnered attention nationwide, and prompted a statement from the Moneytree corporate  national headquarters.

According to KNDU-KNDO-TV, our news partners, Manuel Enrique Verduzco is in the Yakima County Jail, accused of fatally shooting 27-year-old Karina Morales-Rodrigues and 30-year-old Martha Martinez outside of the Moneytree loan store near Walnut and First Street.

They were confronted by Verduzco as they were preparing to open the store around 6am last Saturday. Verduzco is a former employee of the business, he was identified in part by video surveillance footage. He was arrested a short time later.

The charges were formally filed late Wednesday, and he is now being held on bail. Officials didn't say if the shooting was motivated by revenge, or if Verduzco was simply seeking money by way of robbery.