The final defendant charged in the shooting of Brandon Nino and Jennifer Garduno-Luna in Centralia in 2023 made his preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Monday — nearly three years after the incident occurred.
Ronnie J. Mercado, 25, of Pasco, is charged with two counts of first-degree assault. He faces up to life in prison, if convicted.
On Feb. 27, Mercado arrived at the Lewis County Jail from the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, where he is serving a multi-year sentence for first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and third-degree assault in Benton County, according to court and jail records.
Mercado’s tentative earned release date is Dec. 15, according to court documents.
During the preliminary hearing, Judge R.W. Buzzard set bail at $5,000 cash or bond to ensure Mercado remains in Lewis County for his upcoming arraignment set for Thursday, March 5.
Public defender Sarah McFadden has been assigned as his attorney.
On Feb. 20, 18-year-old Vincent A. Rhoades, of Centralia, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for his role in the shooting after pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon. Rhoades was 16 at the time of the shooting.
Like Mercado, Rhoades was initially charged with two counts of first-degree assault. With his plea deal, Rhoades agreed to remain charged as an adult.
Along with prison time, Rhoades must also serve 18 months of community custody. He was prohibited from contacting the two victims for 10 years.
Dayton L. Keyes, 22, of Chehalis, also pleaded guilty to two lesser counts of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon on Jan. 30. He was sentenced to 43 months in prison and 18 months of community custody, and was likewise prohibited from contacting the victims for 10 years.
The initial charges against each defendant came almost two years after the shooting.
In May 2023, Brandon Nino and Jennifer Garduno-Luna were driving on Oxford Avenue in Centralia when they were ambushed by gunfire from four teenagers crossing the street.
Francisco Nino-Villanueva, who was expecting their arrival to his house, attempted to drive the two gunshot victims to the hospital. He crashed his car on the way there.
A Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived and transported all three to the hospital.
During their initial investigation, Centralia police discovered 24 9-mm casings from two different brands and four 40-mm casings at the scene of the shooting. They later identified four suspects.
But no charges were filed.
In January 2025, detectives spoke with a source who allegedly provided statements only law enforcement would know.
That source confirmed the supposed identities of the four suspects. He said only three guns were used, which corresponded with the detectives’ findings. The source reportedly told detectives that the suspects divulged what had happened just a day or so after the shooting.
The Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office charged the three suspects on Feb. 28, 2025.
