An Army Special Operations soldier stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord is suspected of fatally shooting two people and injuring two others at The Gorge Amphitheatre on Saturday night, according to the Grant County Sheriff's Office.
James M. Kelly, 26, was himself shot but has now been booked into the Grant County Jail for investigation of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and one count of first-degree assault domestic violence. The News Tribune generally does not name criminal suspects until they are charged but is doing so in this case because the Army and Grant County authorities have released Kelly's name.
Kelly's hometown of record is Strongsville, Ohio. He has never been deployed, according to the Army.
Josilyn Ruiz, 26, and her fiance Brandy Escamilla, 29, both of Seattle, died after being shot. The couple were in the campground at the music festival outside of George, Washington.
U.S. Army Special Operations Command Lt. Col. Mike Burns provided the following statement to The News Tribune and The Olympian:
"First, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command extends our condolences to the victims and families of those affected by this act of violence.
The command is aware of the allegations against Spc. James Kelly. We take all allegations seriously and are fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities.
Spc. James Kelly is a Joint Fire Support Specialist (13F) assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis McChord. Kelly joined the Army in 2021.
The investigation is ongoing, we refer further questions to the appropriate civilian authorities."
