Pasco man charged for Mattawa drive-by

EPHRATA - A Pasco man is accused of being involved in a December drive-by shooting in Mattawa.

Grant County prosecutors charged Manuel Farias Jr., 22, with being an accomplice in assault in the first degree and drive-by shooting.

A 22-year-old man, an 18-year-old woman and their 2-year-old son, were sitting in a 1999 Ford Explorer near an East Third Street residence in Mattawa, when a silver Ford Mustang approached, according to a Mattawa police report. The Mustang stopped and the suspects reportedly opened fire on the SUV.

The suspects reportedly continued to fire as they passed the Explorer. The SUV was hit at least twice with one bullet passing below where the 2-year-old was sitting, according to the police report. Witnesses reported three or four shots.

A sheriff's deputy spotted a silver Mustang in Desert Aire. Before the officer could activate his lights, the car pulled into a driveway and three occupants fled, according to the police report. Police spotted a revolver and a sawed-off shotgun inside the car.

Police reportedly matched prints on the vehicle to Farias and found an identification card belonging to the man inside of the car, according to the police report.

Police found bullet holes in the Mustang.

Reportedly suspect gang members mistook the Explorer as belonging to a rival gang, according to court records.

Cameras at a gas station reportedly show occupants of the vehicle speaking with people in a Ford Explorer.

Farias reportedly refused to speak about the incident, according to the police report.