Man Arrested for Murder and Assault in Connection to Lebam Shooting

Lebam, WA. – On September 10th at approximately 5:33 PM, the Pacific County Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a shooting that had just occurred at a residence located in the 2400 block of State Route 6. The reporting party, later identified as Danielle Messer, advised that her husband had been shot in the head by his brother, whom she identified as Gabriel Delgado (age 32).

 

Sheriff deputies along with officers from the Raymond and South Bend Police departments responded to the scene and located what appeared to be an adult male lying in the front yard unresponsive as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. Medical aid confirmed that the male was deceased. Deputies identified the decedent as Andrew Delgado (age 36) of Raymond. Gabriel Delgado remained at the scene and was detained without incident.

While on scene, investigators learned that both Andrew and Gabriel Delgado had been working on a shed adjacent to the property. The reporting party, Messer had also been present. Both brothers had been drinking alcohol a majority of the day. At some point, the brothers got into an altercation and an argument ensued.

 

Gabriel Delgado entered the residence and retrieved a handgun from his mother’s purse, who was also at the residence. According to Messer and the mother, Gabriel walked out the rear door of the residence and started shooting toward the shed where Andrew and Messer were located. At some point, Messer was grazed by a bullet on her leg. Both Messer and Andrew Delgado retreated to their vehicle and fled the scene. A suspected bullet hole was also discovered on the vehicle that they fled in.

Investigators learned that a short time later, they returned to the residence and parked across the highway. Andrew Delgado exited the vehicle and started to walk into the front yard of the residence allegedly to retrieve his tools that he had left behind. Delgado’s mother, identified as Rose Rascon, said that Gabriel fired three shots from inside the residence through the front window at his brother, Andrew Delgado striking him in the head.

 

The crime scene was processed and evidence was collected including the 9MM handgun in question as well as spent shell casings. Gabriel Delgado was arrested and booked into the Pacific County Jail for charges of Murder in the 1st degree, Assault in the 1st degree and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.