Moses Lake police identify gas station shooting suspects

MOSES LAKE - Two men were arrested and charged in connection with a Thursday afternoon shooting in Moses Lake.

James L. Boyd, Jr., 23, of Fort Washington, Md., and Freddie L. Gholston, 44, of Dol Polas, Calif., were both apprehended Thursday at the intersection of state Route 17 and Road 3 Southeast.

Boyd was charged in Grant County Superior Court with first-degree rendering criminal assistance and possession of methamphetamine Friday, Grant County Prosecutor Angus Lee said. Grant County Superior Court Judge Evan Sperline set his bail at $50,000.

Gholston was charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, drive-by shooting and possession of methamphetamine, Lee said. Sperline set his bail at $500,000.

The shooting occurred Thursday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of South Pioneer Way and East Nelson Road. A 40-year-old man was shot in his left side.

Moses Lake Police Capt. Dave Sands said that, as of Friday afternoon, the victim was released from the intensive care unit in a Spokane-area hospital.

Gholston and the victim were acquainted, Sands said, but the incident was not gang related. The victim lives in the Moses Lake area.

Moses Lake Police Capt. Dave Ruffin said a search warrant was executed on the vehicle the subjects were driving, whose registered owner lives in the Tri-Cities. The owner is not related to the crime.

Detectives located two handguns inside the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe, one of which was believed to be involved with the shooting. Officials also found roughly 7 ounces of methamphetamine in the vehicle.

The case continues to be under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Moses Lake Police Department at 509-764-3887 or 509-762-1160.