Man booked on assault charge after shooting at Plain grocery store

PLAIN — A 20-year-old man was booked into the Chelan County Regional Jail on a first-degree assault charge after a confrontation outside the Plain Grocery Store left a 71-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the leg, according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the grocery store at about 2:22 p.m. Sept. 20 following a report of a shooting. Investigators identified the two men as Russell E. McClees, 20, and Benjamin W. Barke, 71.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, McClees was riding a motorcycle northbound on Chumstick Highway when he encountered Barke, who was driving a pickup. The two later confronted each other in the grocery store parking lot.

Investigators reviewed security camera footage from nearby businesses and statements from both men. The Sheriff’s Office said the confrontation escalated into a physical altercation after Barke confronted McClees.

Authorities said Barke produced a handgun and pointed it at McClees. During a struggle, Barke allegedly dropped the gun while attempting to knock over McClees’ motorcycle.

McClees picked up the handgun and moved away from Barke, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Barke continued toward McClees in an attempt to recover the firearm, and McClees fired one round, striking Barke in the left thigh.

After the shooting, McClees asked a bystander to call 911, according to investigators. He then obtained a belt from inside the grocery store and used it as a makeshift tourniquet in an effort to control Barke’s bleeding. McClees remained at the scene until law enforcement arrived.

Barke was transported for medical treatment and later taken to Harborview Medical Center because of the severity of his leg injury.

Detectives determined there was probable cause to arrest McClees on suspicion of first-degree assault. He was booked into the Chelan County Regional Jail.

Detectives also determined there was probable cause for a second-degree assault charge against Barke. The case against Barke was referred to the Chelan County Prosecutor’s Office for review.