Warden man dies from gunshot wound

WARDEN — Nineteen-year-old Manual Martinez, of Warden, died from a gunshot to the head in a car in Warden Saturday morning.

Warden police suspect Martinez was in an argument, then a fight with Israel Morfine, 27, Sunnyside, Wash., before being shot, according to Warden police Chief Rick Martin.

Morfine reportedly fled and was caught, then booked into the Grant County Jail for murder in the second degree.

Witnesses described the black Nissan sedan Morfine allegedly drove away from the murder scene. Martin said the description enabled Adams County sheriff’s deputies to locate the Nissan at a gas station near the intersection of Bench Road and state Route 24.

Morfine reportedly fled from officers, leading to a vehicle pursuit on SR 24.

Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Mattawa police, Washington State Patrol and the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office worked together to capture the fleeing suspect.

The state patrol used an airplane to track the Nissan as it traveled toward Sunnyside, Wash.

Deputies from Yakima County deployed spike strips, destroying a tire and disabling the car. Morfine allegedly left the car to flee on foot.

“The air unit was a pretty good asset,” Martin said. “When he got out on foot, they were able to guide (officers) and box him in.”

A Yakima County K-9 unit assisted and found Morfine after he climbed a tree to elude the police dog, Martin noted.

Morfine was transported to Ephrata for booking in the Grant County Jail, while the Nissan was impounded to be processed for evidence.

Martin credited the Mattawa police for finding a pistol suspected to have been used to kill Martinez. Morfine allegedly threw the gun from the car during the vehicle pursuit.

“The Warden Police Department requested the Grant County Sheriff’s Office major crimes unit takes the lead in the investigation,” stated Martin.

The investigation is ongoing.