Bail set at $1 million for suspect in Othello shooting, victim hospitalized
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 3 months AGO
Law enforcement vehicles outside the Othello-area residence that was the scene of a shooting Tuesday evening.
Adams County Sheriff’s Office/courtesy photo
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | December 28, 2022 4:16 PM
OTHELLO — An Othello man was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the neck after a shooting at his home Tuesday evening. Another Othello man was booked into the Adams County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder and assault in connection with the shooting, and two juveniles were booked on suspicion of assault.
Freddy Gonzalez-Rodriguez, 20, was transported to Othello Community Hospital and then to an out-of-town medical facility for further treatment of his wound, according to a statement from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday.
The shooting occurred about 8 p.m. Tuesday in the 600 block of Kristina Road, the ACSO statement said.
Raphael Chavez-Hernandez, 22, was booked on suspicion of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm. He made an initial appearance in Adams County Superior Court Wednesday, and is being held on $1 million bail, according to an update from the ACSO.
The two juveniles were booked on suspicion of first-degree assault and second-degree assault. They also made an initial appearance in Adams County Superior Court, and bail was set at $500,000 each.
The ACSO statement said the third juvenile suspect was being sought on the same charges. Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner said in answer to a separate question from the Columbia Basin Herald that all suspects are from Othello.
The ACSO said in the statement a search warrant was served in the 600 block of Eagle Road near Othello late Wednesday morning.
The shooting appeared to be gang-related, the ACSO statement said, but as of Wednesday morning the motive was unknown. The case is still under investigation. The ACSO said more information will be released as it becomes available.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached at [email protected].
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Road closures, roundabout, mean construction season underway
EPHRATA — The grass is starting to turn green, the trees are starting to leaf out, construction crews are starting to build roundabouts – hey, it’s spring. At least one roundabout project is in its final phase, held over from fall 2025. The intersection of State Route 282 and Nat Washington Way will be closed the week of April 6 to allow crews to install permanent lights. “This really is the final (closure),” wrote Grant County Administrator Tom Gaines in a media release. “The roundabout will close at 6 a.m. Monday, and we plan to reopen by Friday, possibly sooner if the work finishes early.”
Ybarra announces run for Washington Senate
QUINCY — State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, has announced his candidacy for the Washington Senate. If he’s elected, he would replace Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who announced her retirement in March.
Othello Community Museum to open April 25
OTHELLO — With a couple of new exhibits, a new heating-cooling system, rearranged displays and a thorough cleaning, the Othello Community Museum will open for the summer April 25. The goal, said Molly Popchock, museum board secretary, is to operate for a full season.