1 arrested in connection with Moses Lake shooting

MOSES LAKE — One person has been arrested in connection with an August shooting that left a Ritzville man with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Crystal Mabry, 30, of Moses Lake, was arrested on Sunday for first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and fourth-degree assault and has been booked into the Grant County Jail, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The 23-year-old shooting victim from Ritzville and a 17-year-old girl told investigators they gave Mabry a ride to the corner of Lowry Street and Arlington Drive after Mabry left the victim’s Ritzville home earlier that day.

The victim claims he was buying the vehicle from Mabry and gave her a ride thinking they were going to retrieve the title for the vehicle. They reportedly drove to several spots in Moses Lake and Mabry instructed the victim to go to a home near Lowry Street and Arlington Drive. Mabry allegedly entered the home and returned with three Hispanic males and a female.

“Mabry then opened the passenger door, told the 17-year-old girl to get out of the car, then grabbed the girl by the neck. At the same time the other female from the house tried to pull the 17-year-old girl out of the car by her hair. One of the males in the group also allegedly struck the 17-year-old girl in the face,” stated the GCSO in a press release.

One, or possibly more, of the males approached the driver’s side door and demanded the shooting victim hand over the keys. The victim attempted to drive away, but Mabry reportedly jumped into the car and attempted to grab the keys, elbowing the girl in the process. The assailants allegedly started hitting the victim through the open driver’s side door and one of the males reportedly told him “stop now, or I’ll shoot you,” after which the victim was shot in the abdomen. He later underwent surgery at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake.

Mabry claims when they arrived at the Arlington Drive home she was at the door to the residence and the victim attempted to start the car, which made her think he was going to leave without paying for the vehicle.

The shooting is still under investigation.

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