BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a drive-by shooting and have a suspect in custody.
Just after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of Frey Street in Great Bend in reference to a report of shots fired.
Upon arrival to the scene, officers contacted several witnesses to the event. They reported that a known male suspect was driving a semi-gold colored pickup truck southbound on Frey.
This known suspect later identified as Josh Prieto then stopped the vehicle in the 1100 block of Frey, exited the vehicle and began shooting with a semi-automatic handgun at two civilians standing in the yard at 1102 Frey, according to police.
He fired multiple times. Police collected as evidence in excess of 20 shell casings in the area. Prieto then entered the vehicle again and made a U-Turn in the 1100 block of Frey, drove northbound on Frey and then fled the scene westbound on 12th Street.
The two subjects who were in the front yard of the residence at the time were not injured.
During the crime scene investigation, it was learned that several of the fired rounds had entered and exited the residence at 1102 Frey and then entered a second building located at 1024 Frey.
Based on eyewitness accounts, the suspect was identified as Joshua Prieto.
Great Bend Police Officers later located Prieto and suspect vehicle at a residence in the 1500 block of 8th Street.
Police arrested Prieto on requested charges of attempted murder in the first degree, criminal discharge of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, criminal damage to property and possession of marijuana. Upon a search of the vehicle, police located marijuana was located inside.