Father Kills ‘Erratic Man’ at Park to Protect Young Child

A father of a young child shot and killed a man in self-defense on Sunday afternoon at a local park.

The incident happened in Yakima, Washington on Feb 5, at 2:30 pm. Police reported receiving multiple calls regarding the incident at Randall Dog park. The individual that was shot was exhibiting erratic behavior, according to witnesses.

The erratic man was later identified as 22-year-old Daniel Ortega; Police say that he “attempted to endanger the life of a small child with his words and actions.”

In order to protect his young child, the unidentified 28-year-old father stepped in and tried to de-escalate the situation.

He reportedly asked the man to leave him and his son alone as he attempted to leave the park.

Unfortunately, when that failed, the father then resorted to using his legally owned firearm and shot Ortega, killing him.

According to police, witnesses at the park told the same story, and the father was released from custody after cooperating with detectives.

Police said in a statement, “the Criminal Investigative Division responded to assist in the investigation. Multiple interviews of the involved parties and witnesses corroborated what was believed to have occurred. After consultation with the Yakima County Prosecutor, the man who discharged the firearm in this incident was released after cooperating with detectives.”

Police have not disclosed any further information on the case.

Police said that once this case is complete it will be handed over to the Yakima County Prosecutor’s Office for a formal decision.