Bail for second suspect in park shooting

EPHRATA — The second suspect in a Jan. 14 shooting at Montlake Park in Moses Lake was apprehended over the weekend and had his bail set at $250,000 on Monday.

Gabriel Ruiz Balderas, 17, was taken into custody on Sunday at an apartment complex on Ashley Way in Moses Lake. He is currently charged as an adult in Grant County Superior Court with first-degree assault and first-degree robbery. Deputy Prosecutor Anna Gigliotti said Ruiz Balderas does not have a prior criminal history. She stated there is a concern that if Ruiz Balderas is released, he is a risk to commit a violent offense. Judge John Hotchkiss set Ruiz Balderas’ bail at $250,000.

Ruiz Balderas’ co-defendant, Zachary Skone, 20, of Warden, is also charged with first-degree assault and first-degree robbery. He is currently being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Ruiz Balderas and Skone are accused of meeting a 18-year-old man at Montlake Park in Moses Lake on Jan. 14. The two suspects were allegedly going to buy a bottle of prescription codeine cough syrup from the victim. In an interview with investigators Skone said the victim is known for not paying his debts and Ruiz Balderas was going to “give him what he had coming to him.”

Skone has reportedly admitted to shooting the victim at least once. He says after he shot the victim, Ruiz Balderas took the revolver from him and shot the victim multiple times. The victim’s girlfriend told police her boyfriend met with Ruiz Balderas at Montlake Park and at some point “someone,” believed to be Skone, came out of the bushes and “shot multiple times.” The victim’s girlfriend also stated the victim confessed to her that he went to Montlake Park to sell a bottle of prescription codeine syrup.

The Moses Lake Police Department says there is no additional suspects being sought by police.

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