Man accused of shooting Pooky pleads not guilty
<center><b>Cesar Ismael Ramos DeLaCruz</b></center>
EPHRATA — The second of two men charged in the shooting death of Juan “Pooky” Vasquez pleaded not guilty Monday.
Cesar Ismael Ramos DeLaCruz, 27, Moses Lake, is charged with murder in the first degree.
Grant County Superior Court Judge John Antosz set bail at $1 million.
Ramos DeLaCruz along with Frankie Mahto Larioz, 19, Moses Lake, reportedly confronted Vasquez about money a juvenile friend owed for drugs, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office report. All three men were in their vehicles at the intersection of Vandenberg Loop and Doolittle Drive during the confrontation.
Vasquez and Larioz were allegedly talking when Ramos DeLaCruz started discussing a drug debt. Vasquez reportedly began to leave the intersection due to the conversation.
The 19-year-old was attempting to flee the two men, when Ramos DeLaCruz reportedly exited the vehicle and shot Vasquez twice with a .357 Magnum. A third shot missed the victim, according to the sheriff’s office.
After being struck, Vasquez’s car collided with a Ford Bronco on Patton Boulevard. He was transported to Samaritan Healthcare where he was pronounced dead.
Larioz entered a not guilty plea on July 6.