2 men arrested for 2021 murder in Grant County

Two men have been arrested in connection with the 2021 shooting death of Kristopher Vincent, according to the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

Melquiades Manuel Benavidez, 20, of Moses Lake, was arrested Friday by the Moses Lake Police Department for investigation of first-degree murder and drive-by shooting and booked into the Grant County Jail.

Gilberto Sanchez Medina, 20, of Mattawa, was served with an arrest warrant Saturday morning on suspicion of first-degree murder and drive-by shooting while already being held in the Grant County Jail on an unrelated charge.

Both suspects were 15 years old at the time of the shooting.

Investigators say Benavidez was driving a vehicle carrying Sanchez, who was armed with a shotgun, on the morning of May 26, 2021. According to detectives, the pair encountered Vincent walking along Airway Drive NE near Cochran Road NE and decided to rob him.

The vehicle turned around and stopped next to Vincent before Sanchez allegedly shot him. Vincent's body was discovered hours later by a passing car.

Detectives said the shooting appears to have been random, as investigators found no known connection between Vincent and the suspects.

The case had remained active but stalled due to a lack of leads until investigators recently received new information that led to the arrests.

Grant County Prosecuting Attorney Brandon Guernsey said he is grateful arrests have been made in the case and is looking forward to seeking justice for Vincent.

"Our hearts remain with Mr. Vincent's family as they continue to endure this unimaginable loss," Guernsey said.

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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 12:31 PM.