Yakima deputies search for driver in connection with officer-involved shooting

A man is on the run after Yakima deputies suspect him of driving a car which lead police on a chase and ended in an officer-involved shooting.

Yakima officers say Jonathan Vargas of Wapato is believed to have driven the car involved in a high speed chase through Wapato, carrying several people, one of which was later shot by police.

Vargas is considered armed and dangerous and if anyone sees him you are asked to call police. He is described as 6 ft, 190 pounds, with brown eyes, and he is heavily tattooed. Officers say the number "13" covers the front of his neck.

On May 22nd, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office deputies say they were called to a home off the 300 block of Old McCoy Rd after a homeowner said several suspects shot at his house.

Officers say the suspects took off in a car that was quickly spotted by law enforcement and a chase started. Officers say one of the suspects bailed and ran off on foot in the 200 block of S. Camas Ave. He was chased on foot by a Yakima County Sheriff’s Office Deputy and a Yakama Nation Tribal police officer. Deputies say he ran into the yard of a local wrecking yard and that is when he pointed a handgun toward the officers and was shot, by one of the officers.

Officers immediately started medical aid and the man was transported to the hospital to undergo surgery.

The suspect vehicle, continued to drive and later crashed near the intersection of North Camas and Donald-Wapato Rd. where several other suspects were taken into custody.