Gunman faces attempted murder after Pasco police shootout. Hostage still critical
An alleged gunman accused of opening fire on Pasco police while holding a woman hostage is now in the Franklin County Jail.
Jose Jara-Delacruz, 49, made his first appearance Wednesday afternoon in Superior Court on two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
He was brought back from King County on Tuesday afternoon after being released from a hospital after being wounded in a police shootout.
Jara-Delacruz appeared by video link from the jail a week after allegedly opening fire at four Pasco police officers. It’s not clear where he was wounded.
The woman he was using as a human shield, Maria Vargas-Gomez, 43, was last reported to still be in critical condition at a hospital outside the Tri-Cities.
Court documents show she was shot in the head, and it’s unknown if she will survive. It remains unclear if she was shot by Jara-Delacruz or caught in the crossfire with an officer.
Deputy Prosecutor Teddy Chow told Judge Jackie Shea Brown during Wednesday’s hearing that the charges remain attempted murder.
Chow requested bail remain at $1 million because of the seriousness of the charges and that Jara-Delacruz doesn’t have roots in the community.
Shea Brown followed the recommendation after defense attorney Michael Nguyen asked to delay arguing bail until a future hearing.
Hostage situation
Police were called to the Lakeview Manufactured Home Community shortly before 11:45 p.m. on Dec. 7 after a 911 call about a disturbance in a mobile home.
Four Pasco officers arrived at the lime green home and heard the sound of a fight inside. Officers tried to enter the extended porch.
When they opened the door, they saw Jara-Delacruz holding a pistol to the head of Vargas-Gomez and he was holding her in front of him, said court documents.
When officers challenged him, he pointed the gun at the officers and fired a shot, according to court documents. Officer Anna Ramos returned fire before officers backed away.
After they retreated, they heard more gunfire. Once the shots stopped, officers found Jara-Delacruz and Vargas-Gomez wounded.
Both were flown to hospitals outside of the area.
This story was originally published December 14, 2022 at 5:35 PM.