Felon Jailed After Shooting at Cars on Highway Near Mattawa

Around 3:15 pm Thursday, Grant County Deputies had a brief standoff with a 35-year-old man accused of shooting a pistol, firing towards nearby Highway 243 near Mattawa.

The alleged shootings took place about a mile south of Priest Rapids Dam.

Sheriff Tom Jones says three witnesses, one of whom called 911, reported hearing the gunfire, and went to look. The suspect, Matt Garoutte, fled inside a building on the property and refused to leave. He stayed inside for about 30 minutes before finally surrendering.

Authorities say one car parked on the large property was hit by a bullet, but no reports yet of any passing vehicles being struck. Sheriff Jones is urging anyone who was traveling on SR 243 between 2:45 and 3:15pm near the dam to check their vehicle  to see if it was struck.

He is facing multiple charges including reckless endangerment and felony possession of a firearm.