Court cases moving forward in March 21 drive-by fatality shooting

EPHRATA — Two men, Matthew Valdez, 18, and Jose Beltran Rodriguez, 20, both of Moses Lake, were arrested in late April in association with a drive-by shooting in Moses Lake that led to one death and several injuries. Their legal process is moving forward and both have court dates set for September and October. 

More than two dozen law enforcement groups participated in the investigation and search for the suspects after a March 21 drive-by shooting in the 500 block of Loop Drive in Moses Lake. MLPD officers had responded to a report of a shooting shortly after 9 p.m. that day. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found five shooting victims ranging in age from 14 to 26. A 14-year-old boy was declared deceased at the scene of the violent incident. 

Valdez and Beltran Rodriguez, as well as a 14-year-old supposed accomplice from Mattawa, were tracked down over the next few days after an extensive search. Valdez was found in Beaverton, Ore., and Beltran Rodriguez eventually turned himself in to law enforcement in Redding, Calif. The minor investigated as an accomplice in the case had been detained at a hospital in the Tri-Cities the day after the shooting when he sought medical attention.  

Valdez is facing a variety of charges, with the most serious being Murder in the First Degree, for which he is currently being held with a $1 million bond set. Additional charges include five charges of Assault in the First Degree with a firearm or deadly weapon, Drive-By shooting and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree.  

Beltran Rodriguez faces identical charges and bail in association with the incident.  

Both remain held at the Grant County Jail. 

Neither man nor their alleged accomplice from Mattawa has been convicted, and their cases are going through the legal process. They are alleged to be members of the Nortenos gang.  

Multiple case documents have been ordered sealed to protect the integrity of the case, and the Columbia Basin Herald is honoring that order to ensure the legal process moves forward without undue challenges. 

Valdez’s case number in Grant County Superior Court is 25-1-00099-13.  Beltran-Rodriguez's case number in the same court is 25-1-00098-13. 

Valdez’s case is set for an omnibus hearing Sept. 29, with a readiness hearing scheduled for Oct. 27 and a trial set to begin Oct. 29. According to court documents, Rodriguez's case follows a similar timeline.  

Information on the alleged accomplice’s case is not available because he is a minor.