Disturbance leads to hectic scene in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - Traffic was halted Saturday afternoon along Stratford Road after officers received a call of an argument possibly involving a gun at a nearby business.

About 3 p.m., a woman reported an argument in the parking lot in the 900 block of North Stratford Road. A male and female subject reportedly ran into the business and the male subject went into the bathroom before leaving out the back door. The woman mentioned one of the two subjects may have had a gun or referenced having a gun while inside the business, according to police Capt. Dave Sands. The victim in the argument reportedly fled on foot before officers arrived.

Shortly after, officers located the suspected vehicle sitting at a red light on Stratford Road near Ross and surrounded the vehicle. Because officers believed a gun may have been involved in the argument or one of the suspects may be armed, officers drew their weapons as a precaution, according to Sands.

A male driver followed officers' demands and came out of the vehicle before he was handcuffed. A female passenger was also in the vehicle and handcuffed before officers checked the rest of the vehicle for any other occupants.

Officers were able to move the vehicle and search inside but no weapon was found, Sands said.

Traffic was diverted through nearby parking lots during the incident. Several drivers stopped in the parking lots, taking out cellphones and cameras to capture the scene.