Gang member pleads guilty to Hough shooting

A Vancouver gang member pleaded guilty Monday to gunning down a teenager Aug. 13 in the Hough neighborhood.

Jeremy S. Piña, 21, of the Norteño gang is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 9 for shooting 18-year-old Nicholas Moline at least six times. Moline survived his injuries.

In exchange for Piña’s guilty plea, prosecutors reduced his charge from first-degree attempted murder to first-degree assault, substantially reducing his potential sentence. Prosecutors and Piña’s court-appointed attorney, Jeff Barrar, plan to jointly recommend a sentence of nine years, Clark County Superior Court Judge Robert Lewis said.

According to court documents, the shooting followed an ongoing dispute between Piña and Moline, which involved Piña making a threat. Court documents don’t reveal the nature of the dispute.

The shooting occurred just after midnight in the roadway in the 2200 block of Lincoln Avenue. After paramedics responded, Moline told them that Piña — who had allegedly fled on a bicycle — was the shooter.

A nearby home sustained damage from a gunshot, according to court documents.

Piña was apprehended later that morning at his home at 2008 Markle Ave., just down the street from the shooting scene.

Paris Achen: 360-735-4551; http://twitter.com/Col_Courts; http://facebook.com/ColTrends; paris.achen@columbian.com.