Minuteman shooting suspect charged with old murder

WENATCHEE -- The self-styled Minuteman already accused of a fatal home invasion robbery in Arizona also has been charged with a 1997 killing of a Hispanic man in Wenatchee.

Jason Eugene Bush, 34, was linked to the killing through genetic evidence, according to an affidavit filed Friday in Chelan County Superior Court.

Bush, who has a long criminal history in Eastern Washington, became a suspect in the July 24, 1997 killing after an informant told police he'd bragged about killing "a Mexican" behind a store, according to court papers.

Bush is now facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with the stabbing death of Hector Lopez Partida.

Bush spent time in prison after the homicide for a variety of crimes, including auto theft, assault and weapons violations. After release he moved to Northern Idaho, and the Hayden Lake, where he lived until 2007, the affidavit said.

Wenatchee police "learned Bush has had long standing ties to Aryan Nations groups that commonly believe in white superiority over other races and have been known to be violent towards non-white races. He espoused these beliefs to associates in Wenatchee in 1997," the affidavit said.

Bush also is charged with first-degree murder in Pima County, Ariz., for his alleged role in a May 30 home invasion robbery at a home in Arivaca, Ariz. Three people living there were shot, two fatally.

Raul Flores, 29, and his daughter, Brisenia, 9, were killed when a group of armed people, including a woman, forced their way into the home. The child's mother traded gunfire with the attackers. She survived but remains hospitalized with gunshot wounds.

Pima County, Ariz., detectives on Friday said Bush was wounded in the robbery.

They said the robbery was planned by Shawna Forde, 41, of Everett. She is executive director of Everett-based Minutemen American Defense, and also facing murder charges.

Forde's family said she talked about a plan to rob suspected drug traffickers to raise money for her group.

They also said they believe Bush was part of a home invasion robbery of a family in Shasta Lake, Calif. Arizona detectives are following up on that lead, in which $12,000 was stolen at gunpoint.