WALLA WALLA -- A man accused of firing a handgun from a moving vehicle late last month pleaded innocent last week afternoon in Superior Court to three related felony charges.

Frank P. Tamayo, 27, is set for trial Dec. 17 on two counts of drive-by shooting and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Tamayo can't legally have

a gun because of a previous conviction as a juvenile, according to officials.

Police said Tamayo -- a local gang member -- was a backseat passenger in a 2002 Dodge Neon when he fired four or five shots into the air while traveling in the area of Isaacs Avenue and Ash Street about 1:15 a.m. Oct. 30.

He then allegedly shot three more times as the car was near Eighth Avenue and Moore Street. No injuries were reported.

Officials stopped the vehicle afterward. Tamayo was arrested and booked into the county jail.

A .38-caliber revolver reportedly was found in the back seat floorboard area of the car.

Police couldn't identify a target or motive for the shooting.