Othello man sentenced in child’s death
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 5 months AGO
SPOKANE — An Othello man has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm after an incident that left his 4-year-old child dead, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Spokane.
Felipe Tapia-Perez, 29, purchased a stolen firearm in February 2021, according to court documents. Soon after, he was involved in a domestic dispute with his intimate partner, who had a restraining order against him, in a vehicle outside her Othello home. In the course of the argument, the gun went off and shot the child, who was waiting outside the vehicle, in the head. The child was driven to Othello Community Hospital but died at the hospital.
Due to his lack of lawful immigration status, Tapia-Perez was prohibited from possessing firearms within the United States, the statement said, which was the source of the federal charges. He was sentenced in Adams County Superior Court to 86 months in prison for first-degree manslaughter, and in federal court for unlawful alien in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. The sentences will be served concurrently, the statement said.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.