‘Retired’ Moses Lake Chief Apprehends Gun Threat Suspect at School
Apparently, you never stop being a policeman.
Former Moses Lake Chief apprehends would-be gunman
Wednesday afternoon, the former Moses Lake chief of police utilized his skills to prevent a potential issue with a gun.
Dave Ruffin, who is an instructor at CB Tech in Moses Lake, headed outside after two students informed him and others that a man had threatened them with a gun in the parking lot around 2 PM. CB Tech is Moses Lake's version of our Tri-Tech Skills center.
According to the Moses Lake Police Department, Ruffing located the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Leonel Balderas-Mondragon, outside the school. Mondragon had gone to pick up a relative at the school, and allegedly approached two people sitting in a car in the parking lot. He displayed a handgun and threatened them.
The school was locked down as were other area locations.
The suspect admitted having a weapon, and a 9 mm pistol was located in his car. He was quickly apprehended. According to MLPD:
"Balderas-Mondragon was booked into the Grant County Jail on charges of felony threats, unlawful possession of a firearm on school grounds and unlawful display of a firearm."
Police have not said what the connection between the two victims and the suspect is, if any, and did not release any other information.
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