Grant County man sought in wife’s shooting

QUINCY – A woman is in critical condition and authorities want to arrest her husband on suspicion of attempted murder after she was shot six to eight times in the face and torso. Luz Virginia Beltran, 43, was stabilized at the scene by a Quincy Valley Ambulance crew after the late Friday shooting in her driveway. She also had at least one gunshot to her foot, said Grant County Undersheriff John Turley said Monday afternoon. As she was lying in the driveway of her home in the 6000 block of Adams Road South, Turley said she told deputies that her husband Baltazar Garcia Beltran, 43, shot her. Turley said the woman was divorcing her husband, but he did not know if the couple still lived at the residence together. He said the shooting took place in front of their 15-year-old daughter, who called authorities at about 11 p.m. “He just started shooting at her,” Turley said. Deputies have not recovered the weapon. Yakima County deputies found the husband’s vehicle between Toppenish and Sunnyside, with the license plates removed, Turley said. The vehicle was identified by a VIN number, and deputies have asked for a warrant to search it this week. The Grant County sheriff is also seeking a Grant County Superior Court warrant to arrest Beltran on suspicion of attempted murder and first-degree assault, although police have enough probable cause to arrest him, Turley said. Authorities believe he’s either hiding out in the Yakima area or heading south, perhaps to try to get into Mexico, Turley said. There’s a law enforcement bulletin out to watch for him. Turley said Luz Beltran was in critical condition Tuesday morning and under heavy sedation. Out of concern for her safety, Turley asked the World not to include the name and location of the hospital where she is.