Lamont man faces charges of drive-by shooting, assault

Formal charges of drive-by shooting and second degree assault were filed by Prosecutor Denis Tracy Tuesday in Superior Court against Phillip A. Hayes, 59, Lamont-area resident who was arrested at his residence early Friday after the area SWAT team was called to his residence.

Hayes was arrested after he allegedly shot at a neighbor’s shop on Spuler Road. The report of the arrest alleged Hayes took shots at the shop two different times.

The scene was in the area of the intersection of Dewey Road and Spuler Road. The intersection is about about six miles northeast of Lamont.

Deputies responded Thursday after Rowdy Brown, a neighbor of Hayes, reported the shop shooting at 4:19 p.m. Brown reported Hayes drove up to their shop on Spuler Road and then drove back to Dewey Road.

Brown said Hayes fired shots at the shop from Dewey Road, which is approximately 200 yards from the shop. He reported Hayes drove away on Dewey Road and then returned and fired more shots at the shop.

According to Cooper’s report, Brown took cell phone pictures of Hayes shooting at the shop the first time.

Brown told the sergeant approximately a week ago Hayes told him “his family better be ready for war because it was coming.”

He also reported several years ago shots were fired at a combine when they were harvesting.

Brown told Cooper he heard a clanging sound during the first shooting episode, and the investigation report said a hole was found in Brown’s truck which was about 15 feet from where Brown was standing in the shop.

Brown said he turned out the lights in the shop when Hayes returned and took more shots at the building.

Cooper said after he responded to the scene, he was waiting for two other deputies to arrive. He observed a green truck approach his vehicle at a high rate of speed. The driver of the green truck applied the brakes and slid the truck up against the driver’s side door of the sheriff’s vehicle.

Sgt. Cooper’s report said he could not get out of the vehicle, and he opted to drive away from the site. The driver of the pickup truck followed about 30 feet behind. Cooper said he drove at speeds up to 80 mph with the truck close behind before he lost track of the truck.

He later positively identified the truck as the one driven by Hayes at the scene.

Cooper applied for Quad Cities Task Force assistance and a search warrant for Hayes’ residence. He reported after task force members contacted Hayes at his residence, the suspect surrendered without incident.

Later, when the suspect was interviewed at the sheriff’s office, he said his family and the Browns have been in a feud for several years. He also told officers he had scant recollection of the day’s events, although he did recall going to Cheney and drinking.

Cooper’s report said during a search of Hayes residence, deputies located numerous pistols and rifles. The report said they found a .44 handgun under the pillow on Hayes bed with four live shells and two spent shell casings in the gun’s cylinder.

During a search of the green Ford Ranger pickup truck, deputies located six .44 spent pistol cartridges in a cup holder.

A bail sum for pre-trial release of Hayes was set at $350,000 surety or $35,000 cash.

In the event he posts bond, Hayes was ordered not to drive on Dewey Road west of his house, not to drive on Spuler Road or Gibson Road and not to have any contact with Brown family members or other state’s witnesses in the case.

He was ordered to not leave his house except to meet with his attorney, see a doctor or shop for groceries in Spokane Valley or Cheney.

County defense attorney Steve Martonick was appointed to represent Hayes at the first court appearance.

Hayes remained in jail as of Tuesday night.