Long-Time Criminal Now Tied to Hermiston Fatal Shooting
A 35-year-old man whose past includes drug possession, eluding police and vehicle theft is now a suspect in a fatal shooting, but he's nowhere to be found.
It's ironic the man Hermiston police are seeking has a hearing before the State Court of Appeals has vanished.
Tyree Houfmuse, spent a year and 9 months in jail over a felony weapons possession charge stemming from a 2014 fatal shooting. In that case, he was accused of shooting and paralyzing the ex-boyfriend of his girlfriend at that time. He was found not guilty by reason of self-defense, but the jury did convict him for felony weapons possession.
Now Hermiston police are seeking Houfmuse, who has ties to the Tri-Cities, Hermiston, and was last known to be living in Tacoma. He's wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of James Cragen. Cragen was found fatally shot in an apartment complex on S.W. 13th street in Hermiston Memorial Weekend. The Tri-City Herald says police say evidence collected will not be disclosed yet due to the integrity of the investigation.