Yakima police shooting took place during stakeout

Published 7:35 am Tuesday, May 4, 2010

YAKIMA — Police say a man shot by an officer in Yakima had retrieved a hidden gun they believe was used in a drive-by gang shooting.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reports the man wounded Saturday night is expected to recover and face weapon charges.

Police say officers were staking out the yard where they believed the weapon was hidden when the 25-year-old, Celestino Vargus Lemus, retrieved the gun. Police say he was shot when he refused to drop the weapon and tried to take cover.

Lemus had been stopped and questioned earlier in the day about a drive-by shooting.

Information from: Yakima Herald-Republic, www.yakimaherald.com