People sought in Benton City shooting flee state
A suspect and two witnesses in a Friday shooting in Benton City have fled the state. The Benton County Sheriff ’s Office said in a news release that Christian Michael Hernandez , 24, is headed to Southern California. Jazmin Marie Torres , 25, and Francisco Morales Jr ., 24, are said to be with him. Hernandez is suspected of shooting Mariah Renee Coronado , 22. The woman was shot in the back with a rifle and found in her apartment. Sheriff’s Sgt. Bob Brockman said deputies spoke to Coronado on Saturday and that “everything’s pointing to it being an accident.” However, Brockman said, Hernandez is a convicted felon. That automatically bars him from touching a gun. An acquaintance picked up Coronado from her apartment at 703 8th Street and rushed her to Kadlec Regional Medical Center . She’s still being treated for her injuries. Sheriff Jerry Hatcher said that Hernandez, also known as “Phat Boy” or “Lil Criminal,” fled in a 2012 beige Chevy Malibu sedan with a temporary license plate . ...