Alleged Gorge shooter pleads not guilty

EPHRATA – James Kelly, the suspect accused of killing two people and injuring two others at the Gorge Amphitheatre campground during last month’s Beyond Wonderland music festival, has entered a plea of not guilty, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Kelly has a public defender assigned to his defense and an omnibus hearing is set for July 25, the GCSO statement said. His trial is currently scheduled for August 25, though that may change as the case evolves. Kelly is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and another count of first-degree domestic violence in association with the June 17 shooting.

The domestic violence charge stems from Kelly reportedly shooting his girlfriend, Lily Luksich. While Luksich survived, Brandy Escamilla, 29, and her fiance Josilyn Ruiz, 26 – both of Seattle – were killed during the incident. Andrew Cuadra, 31, of Eugene Oregon was reportedly shot in the shoulder and Lori Williams, 61, was injured when a bullet struck her glasses that evening. Williams was providing security services as a Crowd Management Services employee and had responded to reports of a shooting.

Kelly, an active duty U.S. Army soldier stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, remains lodged at the Grant County Jail in Ephrata.

GCSO also announced Wednesday that it would have enhanced staffing at the venue where the shooting happened for this weekend’s appearances by Dead & Company, a band made up of former Grateful Dead members and other musicians.

“We want to reassure campers and ticketholders that there will be more law enforcement officers at The Gorge and The Gorge Campground to help provide the safest environment possible,” said Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete.

Law enforcement officials said they understand concertgoers’ concerns and share them.

“We recognize that there are a lot of concerns and fears, and we are feeling those concerns and fears, too,” Kriete said.