Two Yakima Valley gang members who were trying to injure or kill rival gang members at the Valley Mall last Sunday are behind bars today for killing an innocent man.

AUTHORITIES SAY THEY FOUND 14 SHELL CASINGS IN THE PARKING LOT

The shooting of 23-year-old Jose Rivera De La Cruz happened on the afternoon of August 22nd when two groups of gang members were firing shots in the parking lot and De La Cruz was shot dead near the southwest entrance to the mall. Last Tuesday members of the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force located and arrested the shooter, 26-year-old Jonathan Edgar Navarro. He's being held in the Yakima County jail on a charge of first-degree murder and five counts of second-degree assault.

THE SECOND SUSPECT WAS ARRESTED LAST FRIDAY

Last Friday the second suspect was found and arrested. 20-year-old Henry Zuniga-Soriano is now being held in the Yakima County jail on a charge of rendering criminal assistance. Police say both suspects are well known to local authorities and well known lower valley gang members who they considered armed and dangerous before the arrests.
Authorities say a fight between the two groups of Yakima gang members on Sunday August 22  lead to the shooting at the Valley Mall. No other arrests are expected as the investigation continues Today.

AUTHORITIES SAY DE LA CRUZ WAS SIMPLY SHOPPING AT THE MALL WHEN HE DIED

Both gang members are facing charges for killing an innocent man who was not the target of the shooting say police. De La Cruz was not a gang member but rather a shopper at the mall who was killed. Valley Mall officials say they regret the situation and provide security inside the outside the mall.