MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department responded to a report of gunshots fired just past noon Friday at the Hiawatha Lake homeless camp, near the 1000 block of North Frontage Road East in unincorporated Moses Lake. After capturing the suspect, the weapon involved turned out to be a BB rifle.

When the police arrived, the victim told MLPD that he heard a woman crying for help and said he went to look at where the sound was coming from. The victim said he saw Jonathan Pray, 25, on top of a trailer where Pray was covering the chimney smokestack with a tarp. The victim said it appeared as if he was trying to force occupants out.  

The victim said Pray then fired a rifle at him three times. The victim ran for safety and Pray chased the victim up a sand hill near the homeless camp.  

Pray then barricaded himself inside a camping trailer that was soon surrounded by MLPD, Washington Fish and Wildlife Police and deputies from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, along with a crisis responder from Renew.  

“U.S. Fish are Washington State Fish and Wildlife police are commissioned law enforcement officers in Washington State, not only do they protect the state's wildlife, but they also are empowered to do police work,” GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said. “They were out there assisting with the operations, keeping the site safe and the suspect contained.  

There were about 13 people who responded to the incident and were available to assist with the negotiation and secure the scene, according to Foreman. Negotiators tried to convince Pray to surrender. 

Deputies were granted a search warrant and entered the trailer at around 3:10 p.m.  

They found Pray hiding under the trailer. 

“I don't know if he ended up under the trailer after going inside of it or just hid underneath the trailer,” Foreman said. “All we knew was that he was right there in that area.” 

Pray was then arrested without incident. Pray faces charges of First Degree Assault and Second Degree Attempted Murder, Foreman said. He also noted that a juvenile was killed in the Mae Valley area by a BB gun just a few years ago in an accidental shooting.

The victim sustained no injuries.  

“With Fish and Wildlife’s help, Moses Lake Police, as well as support from Grant County Fire District 5, LifeLine Ambulance and a crisis responder from Renew we were able to take Mr. Pray into custody safely,” Foreman said.  

While executing the warrant, GCSO found a BB rifle in the trailer. It is believed to be the weapon described by the victim, according to a statement from GCSO.  

“Yes, a (BB rifle) will make a noise, not as loud as a rifle,” Foreman said. “It’s much quieter.”  

Pray was lodged into Grant County Jail for investigation of first-degree assault and investigation of second-degree attempted murder.  

“The incident was handled well through the cooperation with Moses Lake Police and with Washington State Fish and Wildlife police, we all teamed up,” Foreman said. “We all team up when there is a report of a critical incident, and this was another example of how strong that relationship is.” 

Agencies included in the response were MACC-911, MLPD, WDFW, GCFD 5, Lifeline Ambulance, Renew and GCSO.