Witnesses mum in fatal shooting of ML teen
Witnesses so far are not cooperating with the investigation in the fatal shooting of Brandon Michael Mende, 16, Sunday in Moses Lake.
MOSES LAKE - Grant County Sheriff's Tom Jones is urging witnesses to cooperate in the investigation of the death of Brandon Michael Mende, the 16-year-old shot and killed Sunday morning in Moses Lake.
Mende, of Moses Lake, was found dead in a yard after attending a party at a home on Turnkey Road. No suspects have been identified.
"To Brandon's family: I am very sorry for your loss and I hope you can find peace," Jones said in a statement Monday. "I can't even begin to imagine the pain of losing a child."
Mende was also the victim in the Jan. 20 shooting on Arlington Drive in Moses Lake, where he received non-life-threatening injures after being chased and shot twice by an unknown assailant.
"It's important for the public to know that we believe Brandon was targeted in the Jan. 20 shooting and Sunday morning and that both shootings were not random," Jones said.
In the January case, both Mende and several witnesses would not cooperate with detectives in the investigation. As a result, arresting and charging the shooter in the case was not possible, Jones said.
Detectives interviewed several witnesses to the Sunday shooting but again, cooperation is lacking, Jones said.
"In all criminal cases, we need victims and witnesses to cooperate with investigators and help us bring criminals to justice," Jones said. "Without victim and witness cooperation, investigations can stall and criminals may never be held accountable. I am hopeful witnesses to Brandon Mende's death will feel compelled to help investigators identify the person who killed him and help bring that person to justice."
Anyone with information on either shooting is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 509-762-1160 or send information to crimetips@co.grant.wa.us and reference case number 14GS01790. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
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