KENNEWICK, Wash. - A Kennewick man is facing charges in a gang shooting and is accused of bringing his children with him. His 16-year-old son was also arrested in the shooting.
John Salinas, 37, is charged with drive-by shooting and unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, there is surveillance video and witness statements that back up the evidence in the case.
Authorities said Salinas' two sons were walking near Kamiakin High School on May 23 when they claimed a silver vehicle pulled up next to them and threatened them with a gun.
The teens then called Salinas, who came to pick them up. According to court documents, Salinas' 9-year-old daughter was also in the vehicle.
As Salinas began driving toward Clearwater Avenue and Union, it was later reported to police that the silver vehicle pulled up next to Salinas' vehicle as he waited for a red light. Witnesses said the driver in the silver car then began shooting at Salinas and his children.
Investigators said there is evidence in the vehicle that suggested Salinas shot back and hand to shoot across the passenger seat where his 16-year-old son was sitting.
Immediately after the shooting, witnesses allegedly told police Salinas then pulled into a parking lot of a nearby business. Witnesses claimed the teen who had been sitting in the front passenger scene kicked out the window and jumped out. The teen then ran from the area, holding a gun, witnesses claimed.
Investigators said Salinas then drove away. They said he later dropped his vehicle off near the intersection of West Albany Place and North Tweedt Street and everyone left got into another vehicle and left the area. According to investigators, Salinas went to the Kadlec ER in Richland. While there, investigators said Salinas refused to cooperate with them on the shooting.
Salinas suffered several injuries in the shooting. Authorities said he was shot in the hand, forearm and arm and there were grazing wounds near his shoulder and back.
Authorities recovered four 45-caliber casings around the driver's seat of Salinas' vehicle.
Investigators said the casings ended up matching an open case out of Pasco that happened on January 7, 2022. That shooting was at the Sage & Sun and involved another vehicle connected to Salinas, investigators said. Furthermore, Salinas is a convicted felon with cases in Washington, Oregon and Texas. Due to his convictions, it is illegal for him to own a firearm.
Salinas' bail is set at $500,000. The amount was set due to the investigator's beliefs that Salinas brought his 9-year-old daughter with him and was on a mission to confront a person with a gun. They also believe he acted in a reckless manner by shooting at another vehicle with his three children with him while also in the middle of a busy intersection. They also believe Salinas handed the gun to his 16-year-old son and asked him to hide it from authorities.
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Madeleine Hagen joins the KAPP-KVEW Team with years of reporting and anchoring experience under her belt.
Madeleine got her start in high school where she learned the ropes of reporting and anchoring, this propelled her into studying journalism in college.
A proud University of Nevada, Reno Alumni, Madeleine interned for various TV stations and a public relations firm in order to prepare for her first job in the field.
Before living in Tri-Cities, Madeleine worked as a Multi-Skilled Journalist in Corpus Christi, Texas. While there, she covered stories like the historical Hurricane Harvey, and the tragic aftermath from the Sutherland Springs shooting.
Although Madeleine calls Sacramento, California home, she also claims Sammamish, Washington as her hometown.
When she’s not on air or out in the field, Madeleine can be found walking her dogs Ace and Pinot with her husband, cooking healthy meals or running. She looks forward to taking in the beauty of Tri-Cities and telling stories that matter most to the community.
