A Pasco man is in jail on drug and assault charges after police investigated a pistol whipping incident early Friday morning.

The incident began shortly after 11pm Thursday  when officers responded to a house in the 1000 Block of south 5th. They found a victim who had wounds consistent with being whipped, or struck, by a handgun.

The suspect was said to have left the residence. The victim told police the suspect also pointed the gun directly as his face, and made a death threat. Officers located and arrested the suspect, 37-year-old Rafael Alverez-Meraz, around 12:44am Friday morning. He didn't have a gun on him, but police did find traces of cocaine, which he later tested positive for.

During the search of the home and investigation, police did find a fully loaded 9mm Baretta pistol, with a round in the chamber, and the safety was OFF. Considering there were others in the home, including children, this could have been a very tragic situation.

Suspect's firearm found by Pasco police (Pasco police)
Suspect's firearm found by Pasco police (Pasco police)
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Meraz is now facing drug and assault charges, he's being detained on an investigative hold in the Franklin County jail.

 

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