Town of 91,000 Suffers Fifth Shooting by Police of the Year

Police officers in Yakima, Washington, a town of
91,000, have shot at suspects five times this year, three fatally.
Police say the latest victim, 24-year-old Rolando Villanueva, told
a relative four years ago he wanted to commit “suicide by cop.” He
spent 90 days in jail after that incident, on one count of felony
harassment (for threatening to kill someone).

This time police say Villanueva used his car to ram into police
vehicles after a chase started because Villanueva was allegedly
driving erratically. Police say dashboard video supports their
story but they won’t release it. Police cited privacy concerns, but
then,
via the Yakima Herald:

A city attorney later clarified that statement, saying
the video was part of an ongoing investigation and therefore isn’t
yet subject to release under the state’s Public Records Act. As
with previous cases, the video should be released when police
conclude their investigation.

Of the two other people fatally shot by Yakima cops this year,
one was in a stand-off and the other pointed a toy gun at a
cop.