BENTONVILLE — Bond was set at $1 million Friday for a Springdale man accused of being the driver while his passenger shot into another car with four juveniles inside.
Nathaniel Morales, 19, was arrested Thursday in connection with four counts of attempted first-degree murder and battery and 12 counts of unlawfully discharging a firearm from a vehicle.
The accused shooter — Jordan Rascon Montañez, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the same charges but also possession of a controlled substance.
The prosecution did not bring any formal charges against the couple.
The two were arrested in connection with a shooting incident on Monday that led to a boy being taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Rascon Montanez, 19, is being held in the Benton County Jail on $1 million bail.
Deputy District Attorney Gabriel Stoltz requested the same bail amount for Morales.
Stoltz said law enforcement and prosecutors believe the driver bears the same responsibility as the shooter. Morales continued to pursue the other car even after the first two shots were fired, Stoltz said.
A police officer said it appeared as if Morales was giving Rascon-Montanez the best position to shoot at the fleeing car.
Circuit Judge Brad Karen questioned Morales about whether he wanted to hire an attorney to represent him.
Morales said he didn’t know. He said: “Your Honor, this is the first time I have been to prison.”
He told the judge he worked at an auto repair shop for about a year and earned $700 a month. His parents, along with his brothers and sister, live in northwest Arkansas, Morales said.
The judge found there was probable cause to detain Morales on the charges. Set the bond at $1 million.
Karen appointed the Benton County Public Defender’s Office to represent Morales.
Rogers Police received a call at 8:54 p.m. Monday about a shooting along South Dixieland Drive and at 3003 W. Oak St. A juvenile was shot in the incident, according to the affidavit.
Investigators determined at 8:39 p.m. Monday that some juveniles arrived at the Kum & Go gas station at 1701 W. New Hope Road to purchase THC cartridges from someone on Snapchat, according to the affidavit.
The juveniles were in a 1995 Toyota Tacoma, parked in a parking space on the northeast corner of the building, and someone in a Honda Pilot arrived and parked it, according to the affidavit.
One of the juveniles went to the passenger side of the Honda Pilot and grabbed a bag of cartridges from the passenger before jumping back into the Tacoma and the group sped out of the parking lot, according to the affidavit.
There were four people in the getaway car on South Dixieland Road. Police believe two shots were fired at Tacoma. Detectives later found two shell casings in the area, according to the affidavit.
Tacoma then drove to the Rogers Fire Department Training Center at 3003 W. Oak Street and turned around, according to the affidavit.
Police were told in the affidavit that the passenger of the Honda Pilot, identified as Rascon Montanez, was hanging out the window and firing a gun as the Tacoma passed.
The action in Tacoma stops at 2009 S. Promenade Blvd. at the direction of the dispatcher so that police officers could render aid to the injured juvenile, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit stated that the young man was shot in the left arm, and a bullet fragment lodged in his torso and stopped at his ribs near his lung.
Police also obtained video of Rascon-Montanez and Morales leaving their home before and after the shooting, according to court documents.
Investigators were told that Rascon-Montanez advertised drugs on his Snapchat, according to the affidavit.
Rascon Montanez was identified in the photo array as one of the suspects involved in the shooting, the affidavit said.
Police found 11 shell casings at the training center, according to the affidavit.
Police obtained surveillance video from the Rogers Fire Department.
The affidavit alleges a man with dark black hair and a goatee leaned out the passenger side window holding a gun as the Tacoma exited the complex. The suspect can be seen repeatedly shooting at the front and side of the Tacoma with the four juveniles inside, according to the affidavit.
Police compared photos of the shooter with Montanez’s driver’s license photo.
Police found numerous bullet holes and bullet fragments in Tacoma, according to the affidavit.
Police obtained a search warrant and searched Rascon-Montanez’s home and found a 9mm ammunition box in his bedroom with 32 rounds missing, according to the affidavit.
The judge ordered Morales and Rascon-Montanez to have no contact with the three 17-year-old juveniles and the 16-year-old.
Morales and Rascon-Montanez are scheduled to go on trial at 8:30 a.m. on December 18.
