EVERETT — Snohomish County sheriff’s detectives say they have identified a man who opened fire outside a Motel 6 earlier this month.

A 28-year-old man was shot at close range multiple times. His injuries required emergency surgery. He survived but remains hospitalized, according to court papers filed late last week.

Prosecutors have charged Leyder Sandoval Gomez, 28, with first-degree assault with a deadly weapon. Sandoval Gomez has not been apprehended and a judge issued a $500,000 warrant for his arrest.

Reports indicate that the defendant is a citizen of Mexico and has been the subject of alien removal actions, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Ed Stemler wrote in asking for a large bail amount.

“Police have been looking for the defendant since this incident occurred without success,” Stemler wrote.

The shooting was reported around midnight Jan. 3 in the 200 block of 128th Street SW, south of Everett. Detectives were told that the victim and his girlfriend met up with a group of people, including Sandoval Gomez. The victim reportedly was talking to someone in the group about a debt he was owed, Stemler wrote.

Witnesses reported that Sandoval Gomez shot at the woman’s car and also shot at his own vehicle. The woman, who is pregnant, was sitting in the suspect’s car at the time, Stemler wrote. After shooting at the cars, the defendant allegedly shot the victim, striking him multiple times.

The victim was rushed to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with what were considered life-threatening injuries.

Officers found bullet strikes to both cars. Bullets also appeared to have hit the motel. Police collected nine spent casings, one fired bullet and a live round, Stemler wrote.

Deputies searching the motel room associated with the defendant recovered a pistol and ammunition. Investigators also found a handgun in the defendant’s vehicle. A witness told police that the gun belonged to the victim but was not used or displayed during the incident.

“… At this point police do not believe they have recovered the gun used to shoot the victim,” Stemler wrote.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.