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Alleged Bi-Lo shooter pleads not guilty

By Laura McVicker
Published: January 28, 2010, 12:00am

A Vancouver man accused of shooting and wounding a clerk at the Bi-Lo Market in Hazel Dell over a friendship rift pleaded not guilty Thursday to attempted murder.

Jose “Nica” Gasteazoro-Paniagua, 32, entered his plea before Clark County Superior Court Judge Robert Lewis.

Lewis set trial for March 15.

Gasteazoro-Paniagua was arrested Jan 6 in Yakima on a warrant, nearly a week after the shooting at the Bi-Lo Market, 8725 N.E. Highway 99.

According an affidavit filed by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Gasteazoro-Paniagua tracked down Jose Guadalupe Muro, 29, at his place of business on the evening of Dec. 30. Muro was shelving beer in the back of the store when the defendant approached him and allegedly shot Muro five times, including one bullet to the head.

Gasteazoro-Paniagua fled.

Muro survived the shooting and was treated at Southwest Washington Medical Center.

Detectives investigating the shooting soon discovered the two had been best friends for 14 years — until Muro found out Gasteazoro-Paniagua was dating Muro’s younger brother’s girlfriend.

The two had a heated exchange and parted ways amid threats of using weapons, according to the affidavit.

The day of the shooting, Gasteazoro-Paniagua had allegedly been bragging about having a .45 caliber handgun — the same weapon believed to be used in the shooting.

After Muro underwent surgery, he confirmed Gasteazoro-Paniagua was the alleged shooter, the affidavit said.

Gasteazoro-Paniagua is being held in the Clark County Jail on $1 million bail.

Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.

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