Man charged in Moses Lake drive-by

EPHRATA - An Ephrata man is accused of taking part in a drive-by shooting in a Moses Lake trailer park.

Prosecutors charged Orson J. Aguilar, 23, with assault in the first degree and drive-by shooting in Grant County Superior Court, according to court records.

The victim was working on his car when he saw a blue Chevrolet Cavalier enter the trailer park, and park in front of a nearby trailer, according to a Moses Lake police report. The victim told police the driver, Aguilar, glared at him as they passed.

Aguilar and an unidentified man entered the nearby trailer for about five minutes before returning to the car, and driving back to the victim's trailer, according to the police report. The two men allegedly got out of the car and began yelling profanities at the victim. Aguilar reportedly drew a pistol and began firing at the victim. The victim ran between two cars for the trailer.

The victim reportedly believed Aguilar was trying to shoot him, telling police the shooting started when he was five feet away, according to court records.

Witnesses reported between six or eight shots were fired. Police found damage to two cars from a shotgun blast and bullets. One bullet struck the trailer, passing through it, and hitting a second trailer before it became stuck in a refrigerator, according to court records.

Seven 9mm bullet casings were found at the scene.

Witnesses identified Aguilar as the car's driver, according to the police report.

Aguilar reportedly admitted to being in the trailer park, saying seven people were in front of the victim's trailer when they drove past it, according to court records. Aguilar allegedly said one of the men fired a shotgun at his car, and he returned fire.

Police reportedly found several 9mm bullets, which matched shell casings found at the scene, on Aguilar when he was arrested, according to the police report. Police allegedly discovered a 9mm pistol in a nearby RV.

Aguilar's car had damage to the left rear taillight consistent with being shot at, according to court records.