Attempted-murder trial set for teen in shooting at grain elevators

A teenager accused in connection with the shooting of a man last month at the Paddock Elevators north of Walla Walla is set for trial starting Oct. 6 on the charge of first-degree attempted murder.

Raul Madrigal-Corona, 17, pleaded not guilty Thursday in the adult department of Walla Walla County Superior Court.

Officials say Madrigal-Corona was involved in the shooting of Diego Bante-Rivera, 20, who was severely wounded July 26.

Bante-Rivera called dispatch for help, was airlifted to Providence St. Mary Medical Center, and then to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

His condition was not being released.

Madrigal-Corona was taken into custody following a traffic stop by a Walla Walla police officer the next day. He was charged as an adult because of his older age and the seriousness of the allegation against him.

He’s being held in the county’s Juvenile Justice Center, with bail set at $500,000.

The Sheriff’s Office has declined to release information about a motive but said the shooting was gang-related because it involves known local gang members and affiliates.

Bante-Rivera served about four months in jail in connection with a reported drive-by shooting on Cherry Street in late September last year.