PORT ANGELES — Two men were arrested by Clallam County Sheriff’s deputies and are being investigated for involvement in a drive-by shooting on the Lower Elwha Reservation.
Luis Cabanas, 22, and Abraham Martinez, 21, remained in the Clallam County Jail on Tuesday, each in lieu of $50,000 bond.
Off-duty Lower Elwha Tribal Police Chief Sam White was standing in his driveway about 3 p.m. Friday when he heard two pops from across the street, according to court documents. He then drove to the 200 block of John Mike Road and talked with a man who said he had been the target of a shooting.
The man said an unknown male entered his home and told him that he was looking for someone, according to court documents. He then retrieved a green and black firearm from his vehicle and threatened to take the man’s vehicle.
After the man told the intruder multiple times to leave, the man got in his maroon/purple hatchback car and drove off, and the first man went inside his house. At that point, the man reported hearing two gunshots.
When they investigated, White and other officers found what appeared to be a single ballistic defect located on the exterior of the residence and two expended cartridge casings consistent with brass 9 mm cartridge casings, according to court documents.
About 3:21 p.m., Port Angeles Police Officer Luke Brown saw a maroon/purple Mitsubishi hatchback northbound on state Highway 117 about 7 miles from the residence, according to court documents. Brown stopped the vehicle, and Clallam County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Detective Brandon Stoppani and Deputy Hector Eagan arrived shortly thereafter.
Cabanas, the driver, and Martinez, the passenger, said they were from Vancouver, Wash., and were in the area to purchase oysters and a vehicle. Cabanas told Eagan he had a firearm in the car and presented his concealed pistol license.
Both Cabanas and Martinez were detained and removed from the car. While the car door was open, Eagan saw a handgun under the passenger seat, according to court documents.
After the Clallam County Superior Court authorized a search warrant, a Rock Island 1911 pistol, a Ruger handgun and 9 mm rounds were found inside the vehicle. Dispatch couldn’t find a record of a concealed pistol license for Martinez, according to court documents.
Cabanas was arrested on investigation of the drive-by shooting, first-degree criminal trespass and first-degree robbery, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office. Martinez was arrested on investigation of the drive-by shooting and concealed carry without a license.
Although the shooting allegedly occurred on tribal land, neither the victim nor the suspects were tribal members, so jurisdiction fell under authority of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, according to a press release.
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Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
