Shots fired in Moses Lake

by Bill Stevenson<br>Herald Editor
| November 29, 2006 8:00 PM

Suspect arrested, bail set at $25,000

MOSES LAKE — A dispute on Sunny Drive in Moses Lake Tuesday morning ended with shots being fired into the air.

Angel J. G. Moran, 20, was arrested for reckless endangerment and for being an alien in possession of a firearm, according to Moses Lake Police Capt. Jim Jenkins. Moran is a citizen of Mexico living in Moses Lake.

Residents on Sunny Drive told police Moran was allegedly involved in an argument and fired three or four shots into the air from a pistol while standing in the middle of the street. Jenkins said officers later arrested Moran at his residence without incident.

"He was focused on a person at one point in time, but we haven't had the opportunity to speak with that person yet to determine what the dispute was about," Jenkins said.

At Moran's preliminary appearance Tuesday afternoon in Grant County Superior Court, prosecutor Teddy Chow requested bail be set at $25,000 due to Moran's previous criminal convictions. Court records show Moran pleaded guilty to residential burglary, riot and assault in the fourth degree last year.

Moran pleaded guilty to the charges after the prosecutor's office agreed to reduce them from the original charges of burglary in the first degree, robbery in the first degree and riot while armed, according to court records.

Moran's attorney David Craft told the court the bail should be reduced because the defendant's past history does not show he would be a threat to the public.

"A riot, by the court terms, is not a violent event," said Craft.

"He was armed with a weapon when fighting with seven to 10 people. I would think that's violent," replied Chow.

Judge Ken Jorgensen agreed with Chow and set bail at $25,000. The U.S. Border Patrol issued an order to hold Moran since he is a citizen of Mexico charged with a crime.

Moran is scheduled to enter a plea Dec. 5 in superior court.

The case concerning shots being fired from a pistol remains under investigation. Moses Lake Police ask anyone with information to contact them at 509-766-9230.