Couple Charged In Shooting, Assault

A Ford, Wash., husband and wife were charged Wednesday with breaking into a Springdale-area home, firing shots and assaulting two people.

Stevens County sheriff’s deputies arrested James McMurtrey, 49, and Tracie McMurtrey, 42, late Tuesday night.

Information was sketchy, but authorities said the couple fired several shots after breaking into the home of Sonja Howder, 31. No one was injured by the shots, which apparently were intended to intimidate Howder and Richard Johnson, 16.

Deputies reported Johnson was struck with a gun, Prosecutor Jerry Wetle said. He didn’t know Johnson’s relationship to Howder, but said Johnson reportedly came to Howder’s assistance after hearing a commotion.

James McMurtrey was charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and second-degree assault. His wife was charged with first-degree burglary and first-degree robbery.

The couple remained in the county jail Wednesday in lieu of $100,000 bail for each of them. They are to be arraigned Friday.

, DataTimes