Assault suspect found but won't be charged

MOSES LAKE – An assault suspect Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones asked the public to help find has been found, and he appears to be the right person.

But he won't be charged.

“The victim, Corey Barker of Tacoma, declined to press charges against the man, and the case is closed,” Jones said. “Since the suspect will not face criminal charges, we will not be disclosing his identity.”

The man reportedly shoved Barker off of a boat during the Memorial Day weekend at the Moses Lake Sand Dunes. According to Jones's initial report, Barker was dancing with the suspect's girlfriend at the time.

The incident involved several people who were drinking and partying. After the assault, Barker was removed from the scene by friends to the Crescent Bar area. There they discovered he was seriously injured.

Barker suffered a broken neck and bleeding within his skull after he was pushed from the boat and landed head first in shallow water. He required hospitalization.

With little information to go on, Jones asked the public for help finding the man who pushed Barker. Even though the suspect description was unclear, Jones said, people recalled the incident and were able to identify him. He was interviewed by investigators.

“We . . . knew people witnessed the incident and had information. Thankfully, those people stepped forward and gave us the tips we needed,” Jones said.