COLFAX, Wash. — A UW student accused of shooting a WSU football player during an off-campus party went before a judge for the first time Wednesday.
Jakori Cezon Buchanan, 20, faces charges of first-degree assault and fourth-degree assault.
The judge in the case set his bond at $100,000. Buchanan’s attorney, Ronnie Rae, argued that his client should be released because no charges have been filed. The judge gave prosecutors until 3 p.m. on Friday to file the charges, otherwise Buchanan could be released.
Rae said Buchanan acted in self-defense and was protecting his cousin who was seriously injured in the altercation. Rae argued that his client should be released because he mentors young kids, has a full academic scholarship to UW and wants to continue his classes. He added that any bail would mean Buchanan remains behind bars since his family cannot afford bail.
Prosecutors contended that Buchanan is a flight risk because he drove across the state after the incident and didn’t turn himself in in a timely manner.
Pullman Police say Uilisone “Sone” Falealo, an offensive lineman for the Cougars, was shot in the stomach. Court documents indicate he underwent surgery to remove the bullet, which did not damage any organs. He has since been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
Officers responded to the Aspen Heights Apartments around 1:47 a.m. on September 21st to reports of a shooting. Falealo told officers that he and his friends were asked to work security at an apartment party there. Those two friends are Jaylin K. Caldwell and Xavier Thorpe, who are also WSU offensive linemen. Falealo said the suspect, identified as Buchanan, assaulted a girl at the party in the backyard. Falealo intervened and says the suspect grabbed or reached for something in his pocket at the time. Buchanon was identified by UWPD as a UW student.
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The police report says later in the front of the house, Buchanan got into another altercation with a woman and Falealo stopped it again. Pullman Police say Falealo was holding onto the suspect when the suspect’s friend came up behind him, and the suspect then shot Falealo.
The offensive lineman said he didn’t remember much after that.
Falealo is a redshirt freshman for WSU. He attended University of Idaho last year but did not play.
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