u/Gordopolis_II

On September 20, 2026, at approximately 2:22 p.m., deputies responded to the Plain Grocery Store in Plain, for a report of a shooting.

The investigation determined that 20-year-old Russell E. McClees was riding his motorcycle northbound on Chumstick Highway when he encountered 71-year-old Benjamin W. Barke, who was driving a pickup truck. A confrontation occurred shortly afterward in the parking lot of the Plain Grocery Store.

According to statements provided by both involved individuals and a review of security-camera footage from nearby businesses, Barke confronted McClees after the two encountered each other on the highway. The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation. Barke produced a handgun and pointed it at McClees.

During the ensuing struggle, while Barke was attempting to knock over McClees' motorcycle, he dropped the handgun.

McClees retrieved the handgun and moved away from Barke. Barke continued toward McClees in an attempt to recover the firearm. McClees then fired one round, striking Barke in the left thigh, causing extensive injuries.

After the shooting, McClees asked a bystander to call 911. He also obtained a belt from inside the grocery store and used it as a makeshift tourniquet in an effort to control Barke's bleeding. McClees remained in the area until law enforcement arrived.

Barke was transported for medical treatment. Due to the severity of his leg injury, he was transported to Harborview Medical Center for specialized care.

Detectives determined there was probable cause to charge McClees with Assault in the First Degree and Barke with Assault in the Second Degree. McClees was booked into the Chelan County Regional Jail on the first-degree assault charge and the charges of Assault in the Second Degree on Barke were referred to the Chelan County Prosecutors Office.