Shooting Suspect Charged With Attempted Murder

A man suspected of shooting a Spokane resident at a downtown night club was charged Monday with attempted first-degree murder.

Kevin C. Jones, 20, was arrested Sunday, police said. He is being held in the county jail in lieu of $250,000 bond.

Detectives believe Jones shot 30-year-old Jason Brown in the face during a fight Friday at Mother’s Pub.

Brown also was shot once in the arm by an accomplice of Jones, police said. Kenneth E. Smith, 20, is still being sought in connection with that shooting.

Witnesses told detectives that the shooting occurred just after midnight.

Brown said he was outside the club at 230 W. Riverside when a fight broke out among four or five people. He told detectives one of the men involved in the fracas pulled a gun and chased him inside the bar.

Brown tried to hide in the women’s bathroom, but a gunman, who witnesses later identified as Smith, found him, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by detectives.

Smith shot Brown in the arm and the two then began struggling for the small black gun, detectives said.

The pistol fell to the floor during the tussle and Jones, who had followed Smith inside, picked it up, witnesses said.

Jones then ordered Smith to hold Brown so he could shoot him and fired one round into the victim’s face, witnesses said.

The two assailants walked nonchalantly out of the club after the shooting, another witness said.

Police identified the suspects from a videotape taken by a security camera inside the club. The department’s gang expert, Larry Saunders, recognized the pair after viewing the tape, detectives said.

Detectives haven’t said why the original fight started or why Smith and Jones targeted Brown.

Mother’s owner, Gang Li, told detectives Smith and Jones had been in the club Thursday night prior to the shooting.

Smith had been trying to get a free drink, as Thursday was his birthday, Li said.

Anyone with information on Smith’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Check at 456-2233.