Attempted murder suspect pleads not guilty

EPHRATA - Accused attempted murder suspect Jordan Wiester pleaded not guilty recently to allegedly shooting a 28-year-old Moses Lake man.

Prosecutors charged Wiester, 21, with first-degree attempted murder, accomplice to second-degree attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm stemming from the Dec. 10 shooting of Dale Olmos in a field near Hiawatha Road and Road 5 Northeast.

Jose Rivera, 16, was charged with first-degree attempted murder. Although he is a juvenile, Rivera's name was published because law enforcement was looking for him in connection to the crime. Court records have not been made public for Rivera because he is a juvenile.

Investigators believe the incident started with accusations Olmos stole a woman's cellphone, according to police reports.

The three men, as well as the alleged driver, Gilbert Williamson, 46, and another person reportedly drove out to a field in rural Moses Lake. They allegedly stopped at a convenience store before driving to the field and using methamphetamine.

At some point, Wiester, Rivera and Olmos exited the vehicle and began arguing. Wiester allegedly returned to the vehicle a short time later and grabbed a gun from the glove compartment, shooting Olmos one time in the head before returning to the vehicle, leaving Olmos to die.

Olmos was found early in the morning Dec. 11 and was transported to an undisclosed hospital where he remains in critical condition, according to the sheriff's office.

Wiester and Rivera were located days after the shooting and booked into Grant County Jail. Williamson was found Dec. 29 at a Moses Lake home and is facing one charge of first-degree rendering criminal assistance. Williamson has not been arraigned. Williamson has a history of arrests for drug possession of stolen property and residential burglary.

According to police reports, Wiester showed someone a small pistol days before the shooting. The pistol is believed to be the same gun used in the shooting. Detectives located a .380 caliber bullet casing near where Olmos was shot.

Wiester's trial is set to begin March 19.