Charges dropped against teen in ML park shooting

EPHRATA — A Moses Lake teen who was arrested for his alleged involvement in a mid-January shooting in Moses Lake saw his charges dropped this week.

17-year-old Gabriel Ruiz Balderas was previously charged as an adult in Grant County Superior Court with first-degree assault and first-degree robbery. Prosecutors dismissed the charges without prejudice this week due to issues surrounding the evidence. “Without prejudice” means charges can still be filed at another time against Ruiz Balderas in the future. Back when Ruiz Balderas was first charged, his bail was set at $250,000, as prosecutors believed he was a risk to commit a violent offense.

Ruiz Balderas and 20-year-old Zachary Skone are accused of meeting an 18-year-old man at Montlake Park in Moses Lake on Jan. 14. Ruiz Balderas and Skone were reportedly going to purchase a bottle of prescription cough syrup from the man, who court records state was known for not paying his debts, and Ruiz Balderas was going to “give him what he had coming to him.”

Skone reportedly admitted to shooting the victim at least once. Court records state he claimed after he shot the victim, who ultimately survived his wounds, Ruiz Balderas took the revolver from him and shot the victim multiple times. Skone is facing charges of first-degree assault (firearm or deadly weapon) and first-degree robbery. He is currently lodged in the Grant County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail. Skone’s case is tentatively set to head to trial May 31.

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