Man arrested after alleged drive-by shooting near Vancouver Mall

A man faces an allegation of drive-by shooting after police say he shot at a group of people outside the Chuck E. Cheese’s in the Vancouver Plaza parking lot, near the Vancouver Mall, on Wednesday evening.

Jace D. Koch, 19, was driving a white Chevrolet Camaro, doing cookies in the parking lot near the restaurant, in the 7800 block of Vancouver Plaza Drive about 6:40 p.m., Vancouver Police Department spokeswoman Kim Kapp said.

A group of about 30 people who have a regular meeting at Chuck E. Cheese’s were outside and displeased with the driving; an argument ensued, Kapp said.

The driver pulled a handgun and fired shots out the window, Kapp said. The group of people scattered, but one was injured.

The Camaro fled the scene but police found the vehicle at a gas station a couple blocks away, Kapp said.

Koch was identified as the driver and was arrested, Kapp said. A passenger in the vehicle was cooperative with police and was not arrested, she said.

Koch made his first court appearance Thursday morning to face allegations of drive-by shooting and second-degree possession of a firearm. His bail was set at $50,000, and he is scheduled to be arraigned March 30.

Reporter Jessica Prokop contributed to this story.