Suspect in Monday Hillyard shooting arrested

A suspect was arrested for a Monday shooting in Harmon Park that left one person with serious injuries.

Mason James Bolton, 20, was arrested, Wednesday, on charges of first degree assault. He is being held on a $750,000 bond after his first court appearance on Thursday.

Spokane Police Department officers responded to reports of gunshots in the park around 10:30 p.m. Monday and found Jacob Hammond with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers began treating the victim until paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital.

Hammond told police the shooter was in a gang, according to court documents.

A witness at the park said there was a conflict between Hammond, Bolton and a third man that led up to the shooting, according to court documents. They were able to identify Bolton using photos from Bolton’s Facebook account, according to court documents. The witness also stated that Bolton was the only individual involved in the conflict who had a weapon.

Bolton told police he was not at the park at the time of the shooting but rather at his girlfriend’s house. Bolton was also alleged to be in violation of a prior no-contact order related to a domestic violence assault charge he plead guilty to earlier this year.

The case was assigned to the Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force, according to a police department statement.

Bolton’s arraignment is set for Sept. 3.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233 and use reference No. 2019-20157131 or to submit an anonymous tip at www.stopspokanegangs.com.