Deputies investigating Sunday murder, suspect still at large

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - One Yuma teen is dead after deputies say they found his body in an area with heavy crime.

The suspect still at large.

The Yuma County Sheriff's Office said this is the second homicide in this area so far this year.

Sot: tania pavlak/ yuma county sheriff office public information officer

"The victim, in this case, was a male subject from Yuma, Arizona identified as Omarion Valenzuela," said Tania Pavlak, Yuma County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer.

18-year-old Omarion Valenzuela lost his life before the Yuma County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene.

It happened Sunday morning on Fifth Street near May Avenue around 7 a.m.

Deputies did not want to disclose how Valenzuela died.

Unfortunately, this area is no stranger to crime.

"In regard of homicides that we respond in that area this is the second one this year and there were three in 2022," stated Pavlak.

Despite those numbers, one local we spoke to said he still feels safe.

"This is not a dangerous place right here. I was born and raised right here and everyone here works hard and tries just to get by. But there are gang problems right here just random as far as I’m concerned," explained Johnathan Barnes, a Yuma resident.

There’s no description of the suspect.

If you have any information about this case, call the Yuma County Sheriff's Office or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.