ACSO charges shooting suspect with attempted murder
Man accused of injuring deputy
OTHELLO — The Adams County Sheriff's Office is requesting that an Othello man be charged with attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of an Adam's County Sheriff's deputy Sunday.
Formal charges have not yet been filed, but Adams County Sheriff Doug Barger stated in a press release that the ACSO is recommending the 42-year-old Jorge Alaniz be charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder with a firearms enhancement and one count of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
A records check has also determined that Alaniz's name is an alias for Florentino Silva Barajas, who has an extensive criminal history according to the ACSO. Barajas is also known as Florentino Barajas, Florentino Barajas-Silva and Alberto Silva.
His criminal history ranges from 1980 to 2003 and includes several felony drug charges, and the ACSO said Barajas has been deported by immigration and naturalization to Mexico at least once.
Barajas admitted to Grant County detectives earlier this week that he shot at law enforcement. A toxicology report has revealed that he had unspecified narcotics in his system at the time of the shooting, the ACSO said.
Alaniz is accused of allegedly shooting a 9 mm semi automatic handgun at law enforcement, injuring Adams County Deputy Jeff Lane in the leg. Lane was also shot in the chest, but the bullet was stopped by a bullet-resistant vest. Lane has been treated and released from Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane.
The incident occurred after Barajas was stopped for driving without a license by Adams County Deputy Dale Wagner. Lane and Othello Police Officer Jerry Dobson were called in for backup after an altercation and chase ensued, where Barajas led law enforcement to his home on S. Taylor Road.
ACSO accounts indicate Barajas fired on the deputies and officer while they were trying to arrest him. The deputies then returned fire, injuring Barajas in the wrist.
Barger said that Barajas remains at Deaconess and will be first released to the Airway Heights Correction Center until he no longer needs treatment for his injuries. Barajas has had extensive surgery to his left wrist, and Barger said he is scheduled to have additional surgeries.
Lane remains on paid administrative leave following the incident. Barger said he should be out for about six weeks, but is expected to make a full recovery.
"He had a doctor's visit yesterday," Barger said, "everything is progressing fine."
Dobson and Wagner have also been put on paid administrative leave. Barger said the three will remain on leave until an investigation into the shooting is complete. The Grant County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident.