Pasco Man Found Guilty of Murder in June 2018 Shooting Death

The man arrested for a fatal Pasco shooting June 3rd was found guilty of murder in Franklin County Superior Court.

28-year-old Victor A. Paniagua was arrested June 4th after a fatal shooting of 47-year-old Abel Ynez Contreras at 502 South 22nd, where Contreras lived.

Police got a call that day about a man who'd been shot in the head, and he was found dead in the front doorway of the home. Paniagua was eventually located at the Tahitian Inn, where he'd fled after the incident. Witnesses identified him, and he was arrested.

Paniagua went on trial and was also found guilty of witness tampering, second degree assault, illegal possession of a firearm with enhancements (illegal modifications to a weapon) and is likely to face 29 to 37 years in prison. His sentencing will be November 6th.

Authorities say the shooting occurred after Paniagua got into and argument with the victim, he also has a lengthy previous criminal history.