Man charged in Washtucna shooting

RITZVILLE – A local man is being held on $500,000 bail after being arrested in connection with a shooting in Bassett Park on Monday, June 20.

Steven Allen Stone, 35, of Washtucna, was booked into the Adams County Jail on charges of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, possession of a stolen firearm, felony harassment, unlawful possession of a firearm and first-degree criminal impersonation.

He was scheduled to be arraigned Monday, June 27; the result of that court appearance wasn’t available prior to press time.

Deputies arrested Stone early in the morning of June 20 after he allegedly shot Simon Thompson, 63, who had been camping in the park, according to an affidavit submitted to Adams County Superior Court.

Investigators said Stone been walking in the area carrying a loaded .410/.45 Taurus revolver, believed to be stolen, on his hip, records show.

He encountered a parked tractor trailer and told the driver to leave town, placing his hand on his weapon, records show. Stone told police he believed the driver was part of the cartel and wanted to protect his town.

Stone reportedly confronted Thompson at his tent and accused him of stealing from his house nearby, telling him he was not welcome in town, records show. As Thompson was preparing to leave, Stone fired three shots; two struck Thompson in the shoulder and head.

Deputies found two spent .410 shells and one .45 long Colt casing in the pistol, and pellets embedded in a nearby residence, records show. Thompson was transported to East Adams Rural Healthcare, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries and later released.

Meanwhile, Stone was arrested and booked into the county jail in Ritzville.

A criminal history check showed that Stone had a prior felony conviction, which by Washington law prohibits him from possessing firearms.