Man gets 10 years in fatal shooting

A man who claimed that all he did was fire a gun in the air to break up a fight was sentenced this week to about 10 years in prison.

Matthew R. Jones, 25, had faced one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the Nov. 1 shooting that killed one person and injured two outside the Blvd Tavern in downtown Spokane. He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder as part of a plea bargain just as his trial was to begin last month.

The confrontation killed 22-year-old Joshua Ridgely outside the tavern at 333 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Another suspect, 24-year-old Jonathan Espinoza, is scheduled for trial in September.

According to police reports, a fight erupted outside the tavern, and Ridgely and his friends tried to intervene on behalf of a person who was being severely beaten.

Jones also witnessed the fight and said he pulled out a gun and fired it in the air to try to stop it.

Espinoza took the gun and began firing into the crowd, according to police, striking Ridgely in the chest.

Bullets also hit Ryan Jackson and Michelle Wilcox, who were treated at a hospital and released.

Superior Court Judge Michael Price complied with the plea agreement and sentenced Jones Monday to 123 months in prison.