SPOKANE, Wash. — A judge ordered Marius Velazquez, 19, be held on $1.5 million bond Friday for his alleged role in a fatal shooting near the Gonzaga campus on October 17.
Velazquez is charged with 1st degree aggravated murder, 1st degree robbery.
His uncle, 33-year-old Zachary McGriff is also being held on the same bond and on the same charges.
The shooting happened around 7 p.m. on October 17 in the Logan Neighborhood near the intersection of Mission and Cincinnati.
The medical examiner identified 46-year-old Shawn Cranford as the man who died from gunshot wounds to his torso and lower leg.
Court documents show that Cranford sold McGriff a car that he bought at an auction several weeks before the shooting.
The police report shows Cranford knew McGriff because he also lived at a “halfway house” at 802 East Mission Avenue when he was released from prison.
Witnesses said McGriff confronted Cranford about the car he bought and asked for the title. Cranford gave McGriff $1,000 in cash as collateral until he could get the title for him.
Court documents state that McGriff still insisted on getting the title and followed Cranford around in his car to a grocery store and then back to the home on Mission.
While there, a witness says Cranford gave McGriff a car registration and asked for his $1,000 back. Witnesses told police McGriff’s nephew tried to hit Cranford on the head with a pistol and Cranford ran.
McGriff and Velazquez allegedly attacked Cranford, and at one point Cranford was shot. Then, the two men took off. McGriff allegedly stole Cranford’s black Mercedes and drove off.
The incident has no connection to Gonzaga University students or staff despite occurring near campus, according to police.
Major Crimes detectives are investigating and ask anyone with information to contact Crime Check at reference number 509-456-2233.
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