Suspects in fatal Moses Lake shooting identified

MOSES LAKE — A fight at a Moses Lake bar resulted in a a 68-year-old Moses Lake man who was not involved in the fight being shot and killed Saturday night.

Around midnight a fight involving Ismael Ortiz Jr., 25, of Moses Lake, and Jose Rodriguez, 25, also of Moses Lake, and a third unidentified man,  broke out at Neppel’s Dockside Pub in the 200 block of West Broadway Avenue, according to Moses Lake Police Department Capt. Dave Sands.

The three suspects left the bar and started walking east on Broadway Avenue. After they left witnesses reported seeing Ortiz fire multiple shots from a handgun. The 68-year-old unidentified male victim reportedly entered Broadway Avenue in a vehicle and was struck and killed by one of the fired shots.

Ortiz was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, with more charges expected to be added on. Rodriguez was arrested on suspicion of rendering criminal assistance, with more charges expected to be added on.

For the full story pick up Tuesday’s edition of the Columbia Basin Herald.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.