An Onalaska man is facing assault charges for allegedly threatening a man with a gun during a dispute in Chehalis on Thursday.
The victim told police he had confronted a male subject after observing him going through the victim’s possessions. The subject ran away and the victim pursued, according to court documents, until the subject allegedly “turned and pointed a gun at (the victim).”
The victim told police “he thought there was a fifty-fifty chance the male would shoot him,” according to court documents. The victim said he backed off at that point but continued to follow at a distance, until the subject allegedly “shot a round into the air.” The victim then asked passersby to call 911.
The Chehalis Police Department responded and after interviewing the victim, an officer located a suspect matching the victim’s description, 22-year-old Deago Perez, and found a pistol matching the victim’s description in his pocket. Officers also found a machete, which reportedly belonged to the victim.
Due to Perez’s criminal history, he is legally not allowed to possess a firearm.
He was booked into the Lewis County Jail at 6 p.m. on Sept. 16 and he has been charged with first-degree assault — a charge that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison — and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
Taking into consideration Perez’s criminal history and the alleged fact that he fired a gun in this case, Judge J. Andrew Toynbee set Perez’s bail at $100,000.
His next court appearance is an arraignment hearing scheduled for Sept. 30.
