21-year-old man arrested in shooting that wounded 3 in Everett parking lot

EVERETT, Wash. -- Everett Police arrested a 21-year-old man for allegedly shooting three people earlier this week in a Taco Bell parking lot.

Shaquille C. Jones was arrested on three counts of first degree assault and booked into Snohomish County Jail late Thursday.

Everett Police said they got multiple calls about an assault and shots fired around 7 p.m. Monday.

Witnesses told police a car drove up to the parking lot, there was some sort of argument and then the driver of that car opened fire. At some point, police believe his passenger was wounded, along with those two others.

Investigators say Jones drove to the Taco Bell to sell prescription drugs. While outside the restaurant, police say he called a 29-year-old man standing nearby a derogatory name. He took offense and challenged Jones to a fight.

"As Jones exited his SUV, he produced a handgun and fired numerous rounds," said Community Information Officer Aaron Snell. "The male was struck as were two other males. One of the males was an associate of Jones."

Witnesses said it was a busy time at the Taco Bell and surrounding businesses, and they feared for their own lives when the gunfire broke out.

“When I realized what was going on, I was ducking down behind cars and he was waving the gun around and firing randomly,” said Christian Bowman.

Bowman’s son Dallyn was standing nearby and saw the gunman and realized one of the victims was a friend.

“I saw him reload his second clip and pull the trigger; one the people shot is a manger and he’s a buddy of mine,” said Dallyn Bowman.

After the shooting, police said that driver and injured passenger arrived at Providence Regional Medical Center. That’s when police detained that driver. They questioned him and determined he was not responsible for the shooting. He was then released.

All three men suffered non-life-threatening injuries.