Tri-City SWAT nabs Walla Walla murder suspect sleeping in Richland park

A Walla Walla murder suspect was arrested in Richland early Friday morning.

The Tri-City Regional SWAT Team arrested Jordan James “Zac” Savage, 27, without incident at 3:19 a.m.

The arrest came after the Walla Walla Police Department identified Savage as a suspect in the Jan. 21 homicide and learned he was sleeping in a van at the Richland end of Columbia Park in the Tri-Cities.

In an interview with Walla Walla detectives, Savage reportedly admitted he shot Arturo Serrato Martinez, 49, two days earlier in Walla Walla, according to police.

Walla Walla police said the incident occurred early on Jan. 21 near North Sixth Avenue and West Elm Street. Investigators believe the two men did not know each other. The two men crossed paths at 2:25 a.m. and the shooting happened after they began arguing.

Savage was booked into the Walla Walla County Jail on one count of first-degree murder. His vehicle was seized. A search warrant related to the investigation was pending, said officials.

Walla Walla police said the investigation was aided by security camera footage and information from the community.