Suspected gang member accused of opening fire at Pasco gas station is arrested

A Pasco teen is accused of opening fire at a gas station after exchanging words with another man about his gang affiliation.

Eduardo Aguilar, 19, was booked into the Franklin County jail on two counts of first-degree assault in connection with the Oct. 9 shooting outside the Metro Mart gas station.

A warrant with bail set at $500,000 was issued for Aguilar days later.

In the hours leading up to the shooting, three men were drinking on a Saturday night and had gone to buy more beer.

The 21-year-old, 24-year-old and a third man were on their way back when they stopped by the Metro Mart station on West Lewis Street to get gas, said court records.

As they approached the pumps, Aguilar was already pumping gas into a black SUV. Aguilar exchanged words with the 24-year-old in the other car. They were reportedly asking each other about their gang affiliations, said court records.

Then, suddenly, Aguilar reportedly pulled out a gun from his waistband and started shooting toward the car, surveillance video showed.

The 21-year-old driving the car, ducked down and accidentally hit the gear shift, knocking it into neutral.

After getting the car into gear again, the other man drove off, but his 24-year-old passenger had been wounded several times.

He was taken to Lourdes Medical Center in Pasco and Pasco police were called.

By the time police arrived, the black SUV and shooter were gone. Officers later identified the gunman as Aguilar, said court records.