Details change accusation against Mattawa man

A 56-year-old Mattawa man was accused Monday of first-degree murder after detectives revealed further information about him in connection with the alleged shooting death of his neighbor.

Juan Manuel Silva Murillo was jailed early Friday on suspicion of second-degree murder for allegedly killing Antonio Quiterio Magallon, 54, of Mattawa, court records stated.

Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called at about 2 p.m. Thursday for an unknown problem or medical issue in the 21000 block of Road 24.7 Southwest, about three miles southwest of Mattawa, GCSO Chief Deputy Dustin Canfield said. Upon arrival, they found Quiterio Magallon struck by gunfire in a pasture behind his home.

A detective viewed surveillance footage of the property and allegedly saw Silva Murillo shoot Quiterio Magallon, who was spraying his property’s weeds, twice from a fence, records stated, after which Quiterio Magallon hunched over and moved in the opposite direction.

Silva Murillo then allegedly climbed over the fence, ran toward Quiterio Magallon and fired at him again, records stated, and Quiterio Magallon fell to the ground. Silva Murillo allegedly continued firing while standing over him, and “reloaded at least twice, maybe three times,” records stated. The deputy “counted at least 17 shots fired at and/or into” Quiterio Magallon.

Silva Murillo walked away, the video reportedly showed, but he was taken into custody after agreeing to meet deputies in rural Mattawa.

The detective later learned there was a recent fight between the two over an ongoing property and cattle dispute, records stated.

Silva Murillo’s bail was set at $5 million on Friday at his first court appearance. His arraignment was scheduled for Aug. 30.