An 18-year-old man involved in a high-speed chase and firearm possession case has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Angel Omar Zuniga-Soriano faced the United States District Court in Yakima, Washington, where Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced him on one count of felon in possession of a firearm. The incident stemmed from a pursuit on June 29, 2024, following a report of a robbery in Wapato, Washington.
Zuniga-Soriano was driving a vehicle linked to the earlier robbery. When officers in Toppenish, Washington, attempted to stop him, he initiated a high-speed chase reaching speeds over 100 mph. During the chase, Zuniga-Soriano reportedly fired a gun from the driver's side window.
The pursuit ended in Zillah, where a police vehicle rammed Zuniga-Soriano's vehicle to prevent harm to the public. Despite the collision, Zuniga-Soriano fled on foot, discarding a Glock pistol, which was later found to be modified for automatic fire. An officer was injured during this high-risk apprehension.
In an interview, Zuniga-Soriano claimed he consumed marijuana, resulting in a blackout, and disputed firing at law enforcement, saying he attempted suicide. However, law enforcement tested the firearm and verified its capability of multiple shots with a single trigger pull.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker stated, “The seriousness and nature of this offense cannot be understated. I am grateful for the courage of the brave law enforcement officers, who ensured Mr. Zuniga-Soriano would not escape apprehension that day.”
Mike Herrington, FBI’s Seattle field office, added, “It is amazing that more people were not injured, or worse, by Mr. Zuniga-Soriano’s reckless actions...the community will be safer with him behind bars.”
The Southeast Washington Safe Streets Task Force, including multiple law enforcement agencies, investigated the case which was prosecuted by AUSA Thomas J. Hanlon.
