Suspect identified in Warden shooting

WARDEN - Grant County authorities are searching for Ramon O. Morfin in connection to the shooting Sunday night in Warden that left two injured.

Warden police have an arrest warrant for Morfin, 19, on suspicion of two counts of first degree assault. Morfin is about five feet six inches tall and reportedly has a tattoo on the right side of his forehead reading "F13," related to the Florencia 13 street gang, according to the sheriff's office.

The two victims shot in Warden were also identified Monday.

LaShawne Bethea, 31, was shot in the leg and back after allegedly getting into a verbal altercation with Morfin at an apartment complex at 800 S. County Rd. in Warden about 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Morfin pulled out a handgun, allegedly shooting the intended victim, LaShawne Bethea, 31, in the leg and back. The other victim, identified as Derek Duplichan, 20, was struck by a stray bullet in the leg during the altercation. Both victims were treated at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake and released, according to Kyle Foreman, of the Sheriff's Office.

Morfin reportedly fled the scene following the incident and is still at large.

Anyone who knows where Morfin is should contact the Warden Police Department at 509-762-1160.