Moses Lake man shot by police had 5 pounds of meth

The 36-year-old man shot by Moses Lake Police rammed two police vehicles with his car and was under investigation for drug trafficking, according to a news release from investigators. Roberto Escamilla Mendoza was shot by Sgt. Brian Jones, a 16-year veteran of the Moses Lake Police Department, during his attempted arrest Friday morning in the 2700 block of West Broadway Avenue, according to the news release. Mendoza was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment. His condition was not immediately available Wednesday afternoon. Investigators say they recovered 5.7 pounds of methamphetamine from Mendoza’s residence and an undisclosed amount of cash. When officers moved to arrest him, he struck two cruisers with his 2002 Honda Accord. Jones has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the internal investigation as part of agency protocol, Moses Lake Police Capt. Dave Sands said. The Columbia Basin Investigative Team, made up of investigators from multiple agencies, is investigating the shooting, according to the news release. No additional information is expected to be released this week.