Shootings reported in Mattawa area
Local Crime News
MATTAWA - Grant County Sheriff's deputies are investigating a series of gang-involved shooting incidents near Mattawa.
One man was injured.
The incidents began around 11:50 p.m. Saturday, according to Grant County Undersheriff Dave Ponozzo, who said deputies responded to several reports of shots fired near Pear Place South in Desert Aire, about five miles south of Mattawa.
While deputies checked the area, more reports of shots fired were received from the area of Second Avenue Southwest in Beverly, about five miles north of Mattawa.
While en route to Beverly, deputies stopped a vehicle seen speeding, Ponozzo said. Driver Juan Tapia, 26, Yakima, reportedly tried to run from deputies but was arrested on a warrant and charges of obstructing a law enforcement officer following a brief struggle.
During a search related to Tapia's arrest, deputies reportedly discovered various drugs and Tapia was subsequently arrested for possession of 88 grams of methamphetamine, more than 40 grams of marijuana and possession of legend drugs without a prescription.
He was booked into the Grant County Jail and the vehicle impounded pending a search warrant, Ponozzo stated.
While deputies were completing an investigation of the Beverly incident, a gray 1999 Dodge Intrepid drove by and the car's occupants, who are believed to be gang members, made threatening gestures toward law enforcement personnel, Ponozzo stated.
The Intrepid was stopped and one of the occupants, Ruben Lucio, 27, Mattawa, was reportedly discovered to have what appeared to be fresh shotgun pellet wounds to his head, back and legs.
Lucio was transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake and the Intrepid was seized for a search warrant.
At roughly the same time, a Mattawa police officer stopped a 1993 green Honda Accord that had been following the Intrepid and was reportedly believed to be involved in Lucio's shooting. Occupants of the Honda fled on foot carrying firearms, Ponozzo stated.
Investigators believe the Accord and possibly its occupants are connected to the shooting of Lucio as well as a Thursday drive-by shooting in Desert Aire, he added.
Thursday's shooting injured two self-professed "former gang members" on West Thunderbird Way, about a mile away from Saturday's initial incident.
The Accord was seized and held for a search warrant.
Investigators are not sure whether Tapia is connected to Lucio's shooting, Ponozzo clarified.
"His vehicle was in the area of the shooting when he was contacted but at this time we don't have any indication that he, or that vehicle, was involved in the shooting," he said; adding more will be known once a search warrant is executed on Tapia's vehicle.
Anyone with information is asked to call 509-762-1160 or send an email to crimetips@co.grant.wa.us. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
