Brothers accused in brazen daylight drive-by shooting in Pasco

Two brothers are accused of opening fire on another car near Lewis Street in a mid-afternoon shooting late last week.

Investigators believe Edwin Espejo, 20, and Allen Espejo, 18, were in a tan Toyota sedan when one of them fired multiple times at another car while they were heading south on Cedar Avenue about 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 23, court documents said.

The bullets hit the car’s door, barely missing the driver, who ducked moments before the shooting.

A combination of witness testimony and security cameras led police to the Espejo brothers, who were booked into the Franklin County jail later the same day. Prosecutors have charged them with first-degree assault and drive-by shooting.

Edwin Espejo is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, and Allen Espejo has a $150,000 bail.

The Espejos allegedly followed the car south on Cedar Avenue toward Lewis Street. The victim told police that he spotted the car following him and honked his horn.

“As they approached East Lewis Street and Heritage Boulevard, he observed the male passenger (in the Camry) dip down in his seat, and (the victim) started thinking ‘this guy probably has a gun,’” court documents said.

The victim ducked down in his car before the passenger, Allen Espejo, allegedly fired multiple times at the car, court documents said.

Police found several bullet holes in the car door, court documents said.

It’s not clear if there was any connection between the other driver and the Espejo brothers.

After the shooting, the victim turned onto Heritage Boulevard while the Camry continued on Cedar Avenue.

Police used security camera and Flock cameras to link Edwin Espejo’s Toyota Camry to the shooting.

Investigators tracked the car to a Jan Street home. They allegedly learned that when Edwin Espejo returned to the home that day, he “appeared nervous,” and was with his brother.