Bail set at $500,000

MOSES LAKE - A man believed to be connected to the shooting of a male acquaintance in January was arrested by Moses Lake police early Thursday morning on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder.

Ricardo Benavidez, 27, of Moses Lake, was found staying at a Grand Drive home after a woman previously charged in the case identified him to detectives, court documents and jail records show.

His bail was set at $500,000 on Thursday during his first appearance in Grant County Superior Court. He is expected to enter a plea to the charge on Tuesday.

Police were led to Benavidez after a codefendant in the case, Susie Efigenio, 23, of Grant County, reportedly told authorities on Tuesday that Benavidez was also riding in the car in January with her and three other men on the way to Upper Goose Lake, court documents state.

The trip ended with the alleged shooting and injury of a man believed to be Hugo Estudio Fuentes, 30, residence unknown, who was also riding in the car.

Fuentes was later released from the hospital with a bullet lodged in his neck, but without any paralysis, said Grant County Chief Deputy Courtney Conklin on Thursday.

The shooting is believed to have happened within U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife boundaries 20 miles south of Moses Lake.

Moses Lake brothers Jose Pedro Solis, 20 and Miguel Solis Jr., 24, were arrested after the alleged shooting on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder. They have each pleaded innocent to the charge and are awaiting their trial.

Early reports suggest that Fuentes was allegedly taken to the remote area in Grant County to be killed for being a "snitch," Grant County Chief Deputy John Turley told the Columbia Basin Herald in January.

Efigenio reportedly told a detective that herself, the Solis', Fuentes and Benavidez drove to Upper Goose Lake, where Miguel Solis had shot guns before. Before the group picked up Fuentes, the men "talked about doing a "halie" AKA heist," she stated.

"They said we had to go and pick up or talk with "paisa" (friend from same area or state) AKA Hugo about the heist. The heist was originally supposed to be done on (another person), but then things changed it (and) switched it over to Hugo. I don't know why the switch took place and I did not ask questions about why," she stated.

It's not clear what type of bullet Fuentes was allegedly injured with. Earlier this year during the initial investigation, authorities recovered a .22 Magnum, spent casings of .38 Special rounds, .22 caliber casings and ammunition.

Efigenio reportedly helped detectives find a missing .38 Special revolver this week she claims belongs to Miguel Solis, according to court documents. She reportedly hid the gun in a potted plant at his mother's house, court documents state.

She was charged with first-degree kidnapping in the case on Feb. 12 and has not entered a plea to the charge.