Shooting Injures Five at Sunnyside Cinco de Mayo Celebration

(Sunnyside, WA) -- Multiple gun shots sent people scattering at a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Sunnyside last Friday. Authorities were quickly on the scene. They believe it to be a gang-related incident in which a single shooter fired multiple shots at a rival gang member in a crowded carnival section of the event. That led to one adult and four children being injured, the youngest of which was just seven years old. The adult, 35-year-old Travis Allen of Vancouver, WA, was flown to Harborview Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the leg. Fortunately, none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.

The shooting lead to local police and SWAT surrounding a residence on the 600 block of Harrison Avenue. Officers established a perimeter and were assisted by officers from Washington State Patrol, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office as well as the surrounding cities. They called in Yakima Regional SWAT to assist also. Prior to the arrival of SWAT, four juveniles exited the residence and surrendered to officers without incident. A fifth juvenile exited the residence just prior to SWAT making entry. He was also taken into custody without further incident. Two additional subjects were detained in the area of the event.

The seven individuals detained were then released to their respective guardians as the investigation continues. If you have potentially relevant information, contact the Sunnyside Police Department at 509-836-6200.