Four arrested in connection with Sunday incident

OTHELLO — An Othello man remains in critical condition at a Seattle hospital, after a shooting early Sunday morning in Othello.

Bartolo C. Sanchez, 30, of Othello, was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center after he was found bleeding from the head outside a residence by Adams County deputies, Undersheriff Kevin Fuhr said in a news release.

Adams County Sheriff Doug Barger said Tuesday that investigators believe Sanchez was allegedly shot by 30-year-old Carlos A. Bustos of Othello. Sanchez suffered a single gunshot wound to the upper left neck, Barger said. Investigators have not identified the weapon used in the incident.

Othello Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle on the 1300 block of Spruce Street at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday. The 2005 Toyota Land Rover had been reported stolen out of the Yakima area and police noticed a large amount of blood smeared on the exterior of the vehicle, the release stated. Fuhr said Othello Police detained four Hispanic males from the residence where the vehicle was parked.

Sanchez was found two hours later by Adams County deputies after a report that a male was bleeding heavily. Sanchez was found outside a residence on the 800 block of Steele Road and was transported to Othello Community Hospital for bleeding from the head. He was then flown to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, and later to Harborview Medical Center for his injuries.

A search of the residence on the 800 block of Steele Road found a large amount of blood, three handguns, a shotgun, cocaine and two spent rounds. The release stated one of the handguns had been stolen out of Spokane.

Authorities later searched the residence on Spruce Street where they found a large caliber handgun hidden in a clothes hamper, the release stated.

Fuhr said in the release Adams County Deputies determined after the shooting that the four males allegedly fled the Steele Road address in the stolen Toyota and drove to the Spruce Street address.

Investigators believe the incident is related to an altercation that happened earlier Sunday, Barger said. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the incident. The four men, all residents of Othello, were booked into the Adams County Jail.

Bustos, was booked for first-degree assault, alien in possession of firearms, possession of stolen firearms and possession of cocaine.

Flavio C. Comacho, 24, 20-year-old Javier C. Comacho, and 31-year-old Alfredo B. Luna were each booked for rendering criminal assistance, alien in possession of firearms, possession of stolen firearms and possession of cocaine.

The sheriff's office is continuing to investigate the incident.