And now live from the studios in Yakima, this is KIMA News Watch at 11, Weekend Edition.
Good evening. Thanks for joining us tonight. I'm Tami Mori.
And I'm Lisa Van Sise. Valerie Hurst has the night off. After hours of scouring the streets
of Yakima, police caught the suspect they believe shot a 15-year-old boy last night.
Police were able to arrest and question several people involved in the shooting. They determined
20-year-old David Infante was the suspect in the shooting. Officers found him around
11 last night staying at the Yakima Inn. The Yakima Inn manager told us he had no idea
he was renting a room out to a possible killer. He said Infante was there with his wife and
child. Infante is booked at the Yakima County Jail and charged with first degree murder,
accused of shooting a boy in the chest. Police believe this shooting is gang related. The
15-year-old boy was found lying in the street on the corner of South Seventh and Arlington
Street. Right here close to where we're standing, he ran a short distance away and collapsed
and he was treated there by medical personnel. The young boy's grandma arrived to the scene
and was told the boy might not make it. He was transported to Yakima Regional and died
shortly after. This was the 11th homicide in the city of Yakima in 2005. There were
just four the year before. It's a busy day of 2006 for police in the Tri-Cities, starting
with three bomb threats in less than 12 hours. Two Walmart stores in Kennewick and Richland
were evacuated last night after bomb threats were called into both. Then at 8 this morning
another bomb threat was called into the Richland Walmart. Employees were evacuated and in conjunction
with the Verizon Security Center were coming up with leads and will be following those
threats next week. Police say this is the sixth bomb threat called into that Richland
Walmart in the last few weeks. A former employee was charged with making one of those threats
last week. And in Kennewick, Walmart played a part to help solve the home invasion. Plus,
police in the Tri-Cities are trying to figure out if they have a murder on their hands.
Week in Additions' William Pitts has been following two major stories from Kennewick
today. It's not the ideal way to start off 2006. Kennewick police are investigating two
major cases tonight, one involving a kidnapping and ransom, the other a body found outside
a local hospital. Police say a quick-thinking Kennewick woman dialed 911 when two men forced
their way inside the apartment on Columbia Drive in Kennewick. She then hid the phone
so police could trace the call. Police say the two suspects kidnapped the woman and another
man and forced her to drive to the Kennewick Walmart. The two allegedly wanted the woman
to withdraw money in exchange for letting both victims go. The woman began yelling for
Walmart employees to call the police. When they did, the suspect took off. He fled and
went directly south over a wall into Canyon Lakes. And we spent close to three hours with
canines checking the area and we know he was working his way through the brush around Canyon
Lakes there and he may have made it out literally into the desert south of town. Police did
arrest the other suspect in this case. He, however, has refused to identify himself.
Police are still looking for that second suspect. He's described as an Hispanic male in his
twenties with a stocky build and a pierced eyebrow. He was wearing a black and white
flannel jacket. Also this morning, police were called to Kennewick General Hospital
when a doctor arriving for work saw a van that had been parked there for about a week.
When employees went to investigate, they found the driver dead. We called our detectives
out. They have since removed the body from the vehicle. We have not positively identified
who this is at this time. An autopsy to identify that body has been scheduled for Monday. If
you have any information on either of these cases, call Kennewick police. For Weekend
Edition, I'm William Pitts. A lower valley man is dead after crashing into a fence and
power pole. It happened just before midnight last night. Police say Thomas Mary of Sunnyside
was driving at high speeds. He was heading down Outlook Road, crossed oncoming traffic
and went off the road. The 21-year-old flew out of the car and died at the scene. It is
unknown whether alcohol was a factor. And the Washington State Patrol spent New Year's
beefing up patrols and it looks like for the most part, drivers used common sense last
night. The WSP is reporting one DUI in the upper Yakima Valley and three in the lower
valley. Those are about the same numbers from last year. But while DUIs were low, last night's
slick roads caused numerous accidents. New Year's marks a time of celebration and also
reflection. We spoke to many locals to find out about their New Year's resolutions. Whether
it was working out more, taking better care of their health, or spending more time with
the family, this day is the start of positive changes and goals for many. My New Year's
resolution is to continue coming down to this athletic club every single day as I've been
trying to do for the last six years. My New Year's resolution is to get sponsored by the
end of the year, skating. Get rid of the cigarettes, stop smoking. Trying to space my time out
better because it's like taking care of my kids better. Many who we talked to believe
New Year's resolutions are a good way to start the year off. And I agree. Do you have a New
Year's resolution, Lisa? I would say to increase my patience while driving. That's a good one.
Definitely one of them, although I'm afraid to admit it. But definitely I need to work
on my road rage. Well, the first baby of 2006 in Yakima came in a bit earlier than expected.
Coming up, we'll check in with mom and baby. And taking a first look at your forecast for
tonight, we're looking for more clouds and the possibility of a little bit of precipitation
falling here and there. Overnight lows in the upper twenties for the Yakima Valley,
33 degrees tonight for the Tri cities tomorrow. Temperatures not too bad, pretty mild lower
forties for Yakima and middle and upper forties around the Columbia Basin. Rain, though, is
in the forecast for continuing through tomorrow. A look at your passes. Not too bad. Clear,
compact snow and ice, though, for Stevens. Snow quality looking good, overcast skies
and barren wet. Make sure, though, if you have any past travel to bring chains with
you, 511 is the number to call if you have any question. Your extended five day forecast
is coming up a little bit later. You're watching KIMA News Watch Weekend Edition at 11 with
Valerie Hearst, Tim Lewis Sports and Weather with Lisa Van Sise. The way I look at it,
why just settle for one happy new year? With our limited time, no interest until 2009 plus
no payments until 2007 offer, Furniture Row is out to make this new year one to remember.
We're resolved to make your future more comfortable with our no interest until 2009 and no payments
until 2007 offer. Plus, get great prices backed by our 200% guaranteed lowest price pledge.
Furniture Row outlet. Hurry in. The clock is ticking on our limited time new year savings
event. The Seasons Performance Hall in Yakima proudly presents Jessica Williams. One night
only January 7th at 730 PM. This two time Grammy nominee has been hailed as one of the
greatest jazz pianists I have ever heard by jazz legend Dave Reubeck. Don't miss your
chance to see Jessica Williams live in concert January 7th at 730 PM at the Seasons Performance
Hall in Yakima. On DaVinci's Inquest. If you make it to the age of 21, count yourself lucky
because if drinking and driving doesn't kill you, if drugs don't get you, you're real lucky.
Now if you are unlucky, that's when you meet me. My pathologist will cut open every organ
in your body and all your secrets are now open for the whole world to know. DaVinci's
Inquest. Sunday at 1130 on KIMA. It's a special way for one local family to ring in the new
year. We got the chance to meet the first baby born in Yakima for 2006. The baby was
born. And she is a miracle and more than one sense of the word.