Arraignment for shooting suspect set

DAYTON–The suspect in the June 20 shooting death of a Walla Walla man is being held on $50,000 cash bond, Columbia County Superior Court Judge Brooke J. Burns ordered during a Preliminary Appearance Hearing June 22.

Jason William Bomar, 22, of Walla Walla, appeared via teleconference from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Bomar is being charged with first-degree manslaughter connected with the death of Christopher (NMI) Gonzales, 54, of Walla Walla, at 118 E. Washington Avenue. He is being housed in the Columbia County Jail.

An arraignment hearing was set for 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 6.

He was taken into custody by Columbia County Sheriff's Office deputies Monday, June 20 after police were called to a report of shots fired at 118 E. Washington Avenue at around 6:02 p.m.

The victim Gonzales received a single gunshot wound to the chest, said Prosecuting Attorney and Coroner C. Dale Slack, and was pronounced dead at Dayton General Hospital later that evening.

Burns appointed Rachel Cortez to represent Bomar.

Regarding bail, Prosecutor Slack requested Bomar remain in custody due to the fact a firearm was involved, that Bomar may be a flight risk, that there may be issues regarding a place to live for Bomar, safety concerns for both people involved and Bomar, and generally, until all the facts relevant to the case can be investigated. Attorney Rebecca Lemons, of The Law Office of Rachel Cortez, argued for ten percent case surety.

Burns set $50,000 cash posting for Bomar with the caveat that the matter could be revisited at a later time.