Man convicted of drive-by shooting at WW gas station
By Dan Thesman on Monday, November 11th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – A Walla Walla County Superior Court jury on Friday convicted Alejandro J. Lomeli of Walla Walla on all counts and enhancements in the Aug. 27, 2023, shooting of a 27-year-old man at the Shell gas station, located on the 2100 block of East Isaacs Avenue. Prosecutors said the victim was a random member of the public.
Jurors found Lomeli, who was 26 at the time of the shooting, guilty of first-degree assault with a firearm, drive-by shooting, unlawful possession of a firearm, and malicious mischief in both the second and third degree.
“The jury also found the shooting of the victim was committed in order to enhance Lomeli’s status as a member of a criminal street gang,” Walla Walla County Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney April King said.
According to the Walla Walla Police Department, the victim suffered non-life threatening injuries. WWPD located Lomeli on Sept. 18, 2023, in the Eastgate area. A high-risk traffic stop was performed and Lomeli was taken into custody.
The case was tried by King, along with Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney Gabe Acosta. Lomeli’s defense attorney was Nicholas Holce.
Sentencing is set for Nov. 18. After the jury verdict, Judge Scott Wolfram increased the original bail amount of $3,000 to $50,000. “We expect the defendant to ask for bail reduction at some point and for release pending sentencing,” King added.
