Allegedly firing gun near passing motorists

MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake man was arrested Saturday morning at the sand dunes after allegedly shooting a firearm in the area of campers.

Daniel L. Nighswonger, 31, was arrested for three counts of reckless endangerment and unlawful use of a loaded firearm, according to Grant County Undersheriff John Turley.

"Nighswonger was identified by several witnesses who said he was discharging a firearm in front of vehicles and behind vehicles as they would pass the location where (he) was shooting," Turley stated.

Law enforcement stopped the 2007 Ford F150 Nighswonger was driving as he was leaving the sand dunes, he noted.

"Nighswonger and two other occupants in the vehicle were ordered from the vehicle at gunpoint without incident," Turley noted.

A 52-year-old male was inside the vehicle along with Cameron T. Whittle, 19. Whittle was cited for reportedly being a minor in possession of alcohol. Both passengers were released to a friend.

Several boxes of ammunition and three firearms including a .357 magnum, .22 caliber firearm and a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun were removed from the vehicle, Turley noted.