Shotgun fired in Moses Lake

No injuries, two arrested

MOSES LAKE - Johnny R. Briceno, 22, Moses Lake, and a 15-year-old Moses Lake male were arrested for firing a shotgun in Moses Lake.

The two suspects were arrested for drive-by shooting, which under the law includes when someone recklessly discharges a firearm in a manner that could kill or seriously injure someone, according to Washington state law.

The charge is implemented when someone uses a vehicle to transport a shooter or a firearm to a destination where the firearm is discharged and the vehicle is used to leave the area. The shooter does not have to be inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

The two suspects reportedly went to a residence on Peninsula Drive looking for a male, Capt. Dave Ruffin said. A female reportedly opened the door at the residence and told them the male they were seeking did not live there. The suspects left but reportedly returned to the

residence 30 minutes later.

The female opened the door a second time and noticed one of the suspects had a short-barreled 12-gauge shotgun, Ruffin said. She reportedly shut the door at the sight of the firearm.

It appears the 15-year-old male shot the firearm, he said. The weapon was discharged once and no one was injured.

It is unclear where the gunfire hit, Ruffin said. It doesn't appear the residence was struck by gunfire. The firearm could have been discharged toward the sky or toward the ground, he said. The victim did not see the direction of the firearm after closing the door.

After the shooting, the suspects reportedly discarded the shotgun and fled the scene.

Police found the shotgun near the residence, Ruffin said.

The suspects fled in a 1996 Dodge Stratus and were arrested on Wall Street, where police impounded the vehicle.

The incident remains under investigation.

People with information can contact Sgt. Dave Sands at 509-766-9230.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office assisted Moses Lake police with the incident.