Local News

Man Turns Himself In After Shooting Near Malott

Feb 21, 2014

Thursday afternoon, Oanogan County Deputies and emergency personnel responded to a shooting south of Malott near the Chiliwist Road. Sheriff Frank Rogers said the suspected gunman called 911 to report the shooting and turn himself in.

Rogers said the victim, 38-year-old Antonio Naranjo-Menchaca, who was pronounced dead at the scene, had apparently just arrived here in Okanogan County from California. Rogers said, the gunman, 31-year-old Jesus Vela-Duarte, told detectives he feared for himself and his family.

Menchaca was the ex brother-in-law of Duarte.

Rogers said the family was afraid of Menchaca and apparently Duarte had already contacted Menchaca when he returned from California and told him to stay away from his family. The Sheriff said when Duarte saw Menchaca drive by their house in Malott again yesterday he followed him down to the Chiliwist Road and that is where the confrontation took place.

The Sheriff said Duarte stopped and confronted the Menchaca and according to a witness at the scene, Duarte then pulled out a pistol and shot him two or three times.

Duarte then drove back to his home in Malott, put the gun away and called 911 to report the shooting. Duarte told Deputies he was at his home and would be waiting for them. Deputies arrived and picked up Duarte without incident.

Duarte was transported to the Okanogan County Jail and booked on charges of Murder in the Second Degree.

Old Hwy 97 south of Malott was closed while the scene was proceeded by the Okanogan Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab. The road was reopened at around 10:30 PM.

Rogers said an autopsy for Menchaca will be performed on Monday.