Grijalva's Yuma office closed after shattered window, bullet found inside

The Yuma office of Congressman Raul Grijalva closed Thursday after a shattered window and a bullet were discovered inside.

Adam Sarvana, communications director for the congressman, told the Yuma Sun that a staff member came in the back door of the Yuma office, located at 1455 S. 4th Ave., Suite 4. It was after a constituent came in, he said, that the staff was alerted to the shattered window.

The Yuma Police Department is investigating, Sarvana said, noting that a bullet was found inside the office.

When asked if the incident could be related to a federal judge's decision to remove parts of the controversial Arizona immigration law, which were slated to go into effect Thursday, Sarvana said it could be a possibility.

“It's hard not to think, based on what happened with threats to our Tucson office, that this is connected to the immigration issue, which is unfortunate,” he said.

Grijalva, who had called for convention and other visitor boycotts of Arizona to protest its immigration enforcement law, said Wednesday national groups should return their meetings to the state because a judge has put key parts of the law on hold.

“This is an important moment for the nation to pause and take a deep breath,” Grijalva said, noting that returning conventions and conferences to the state would “help us change the political and economic climate.”

As of midday Thursday, Sarvana said the staff at the Yuma office had been sent home. “We're not going to send them back until police have told us it is safe.”

Sarvana said they're currently waiting on guidance from the Yuma Police Department. “We'd like to get back to work as soon as we can, but we don't want to jump the gun.”

According to a news release from YPD Thursday afternoon, officers who arrived at the office just after 10 a.m. discovered what appeared to be a single bullet hole to the front window of the unoccupied office. The incident is believed to have happened between 5 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. Thursday.

No information about a suspect has been given. Anyone with information is asked to call 783-4421 or 78-CRIME (782-7463) to remain anonymous.

Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.