2 employees shot dead outside Yakima payday lending store

YAKIMA, Wash. — A 26-year-old suspect is in custody after two workers were shot to death as they were opening a payday lending business in downtown Yakima early Saturday.

Yakima Police Capt. Jeff Schneider said in a statement that 27-year-old Karina Morales-Rodrigues and 30-year-old Martha Martinez were found dead in the parking lot of the Moneytree store at about 6:15 a.m.

Police arrested Manuel Verduzco and booked him into Yakima County Jail Saturday night on investigation of first-degree murder.

Police do not believe there are other suspects.

Moneytree President Aggie Clark tells The Yakima Herald-Republic that the company is mourning the death of the employees.

Cox Media Group