Moses Lake shooting suspect claims self-defense

EPHRATA — Court records indicate a Moses Lake man allegedly shot and killed a Ephrata man because he was breaking into his home.

Jesse James, 23, of Moses Lake, was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence in connection with the shooting death of Thomas Hernandez, 21, of Ephrata.

Grant County Superior Court Judge John Antosz set James’ bail at $100,000. Chief Deputy Prosecutor Alan White explained the state hasn’t officially filed charges against James and he is being held for investigative purposes, with possible charges to be added on pending the outcome of the investigation into Hernandez’s death.

“We did not file any charges against Mr. James,” White said. “If we don’t file charges that $100,000 bail goes out the window and he would be released. If we did file charges, he would be brought before the court the next judicial day and in theory he and his attorney could make an argument to lower the bond.”

James’ arrest stems from an incident late Monday night, when MACC Dispatch received a call from a woman stating a shooting occurred at her home in the 8700 block of Neppel Road Northeast. During the woman’s contact with MACC she reportedly advised that her son, James, had shot an unknown man inside the house, according to police records.

Deputies reportedly could not find a 9mm pistol or expended cartridge casings inside the residence. James stated he didn’t know where the pistol was and said he “may have hidden it” and he would have taken the shell casings as well, because “that’s what you do when something like this happens,” according to police records.