MOSES LAKE — A convicted felon was found to be in possession of a firearm early Thursday morning in Moses Lake after allegedly firing a shot.

About 3:30 a.m. officers pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 1800 block of East Kittleson Road. A warning was issued and the officers let the vehicle go and cleared the scene, according to Capt. Mike Williams.

A little bit later police were dispatched to a local hotel after two people reported they needed help. The two subjects, who were reportedly in the vehicle police had pulled over earlier in the morning, locked themselves inside a bathroom in the hotel lobby.

Police contacted the two subjects who claimed after the traffic stop a man who was with them, identified as Rogelio Gutierrez Mata, 26, of Royal City, got out of the car. They said Gutierrez Mata was armed with a handgun during the traffic stop and they heard a gunshot after he got out of the car. The subjects said they had smoked methamphetamine, but police believe the driver of the vehicle had not smoked meth prior to being stopped by police.

“While officers were out looking for Gutierrez Mata, he called from near the high school asking for a ride. Officers checked that area, finally locating Gutierrez Mata near a closed business in the 1200 block of Pioneer Way,” Williams said. “When Gutierrez Mata saw officers, he began to walk around to the back side of the building. He was contacted and detained.”

Police reportedly located a loaded Smith and Wesson .380 caliber handgun that was hidden near where Gutierrez Mata was initially spotted. Gutierrez Mata, a convicted felon, was booked into the Grant County Jail for unlawful possession of a firearm.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.