Suspect possibly on meth accused of firing at Pasco officers after trying to steal car

An armed robbery in Franklin County turned into a tense hour-long standoff in a field near the Tri-Cities Airport on Monday.

Jose A. Herrera, 37, a homeless man, was walking on the 3700 block of Road 36 North about noon when he allegedly randomly fired at a man, Franklin County sheriff Commander Marcus Conner told the Tri-City Herald.

The gunshot alerted a homeowner who came out to investigate. Herrera then allegedly threatened the homeowner and demanded his car keys, said Conner.

A brief distraction diverted Herrera’s attention long enough for the homeowner to get into the house, Conner said.

Herrera then ran through a vacant field north of the Tri-Cities Airport, Conner said. Deputies followed him, coming from the north and city police officers arrived from the south.

As officers worked to surround him, Herrera allegedly fired a round at them. A unnamed Pasco police officer returned fire, Conner said.

No one was hurt in the exchange, but a bullet damaged a patrol car.

Deputies and officers were joined by the Tri-Cities Regional SWAT team, and about an hour later, Herrera surrendered.

Police allegedly found he had meth on him, but it’s not known if Herrera was high at the time.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation of the robbery. Members of the Regional Special Investigation Unit were called in to handle the officer-involved shooting, Conner said.

The unit with officers from Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties investigates shootings involving officers.

Herrera was booked on investigation of first-degree assault and first-degree attempted robbery. Other possible charges include first-degree assault and possession of meth.

His bail was set at $500,000. His defense attorney didn’t make an argument about the bail.

This story was originally published January 21, 2025 at 12:47 PM.