EPHRATA — Ephrata police recovered a pistol, ammunition, and a shell casing while investigating a shooting Thursday evening. Investigators also identified six young male suspects, who were detained and interviewed before police released them pending further investigation.
Police served search warrants Friday morning on a red Subaru sedan and a 2021 Jeep Compass. Officers found a pistol and drum magazine in the Jeep. They found an ammunition magazine containing rounds, two unspent rounds and a shell casing in the Subaru.
Investigators have not made a final decision on charges. Potential charges include drive-by shooting, rioting, and hit-and-run, police said.
The shooting occurred around 6 p.m. Thursday in the 1100 block of Second Avenue Northeast. Police said occupants of two vehicles drove through an apartment complex while wearing masks and antagonizing residents.
Residents from at least one apartment came outside and confronted the occupants. Those residents also wore masks, police said. An altercation followed, and an occupant of one vehicle fired a shot.
No one suffered injuries, and police said no property appeared to have been hit. Both vehicles fled the scene. Police said the red Subaru was involved in a collision and became inoperable, so its occupants transferred to the Jeep Compass. The Jeep then fled the scene.
Video footage from a local convenience store placed the suspects in Ephrata shortly before the shooting, according to police. Capt. Troy Froewiss also credited a resident’s photograph of the Jeep’s license plate with helping investigators locate the vehicle more quickly.
The six suspects included Efrain Silva-Millan, 19, of Quincy, and five minors ages 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. Four of the minors were from Quincy, and the 14-year-old was from Mattawa. Police have not released the minors’ names because they are minors.
The investigation involved the Ephrata Police Department, Quincy Police Department, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and Multiagency Communication Center. Ephrata Public Information Officer Rob Miller said officers and regional partners worked through the night to identify those involved and collect evidence.
City Administrator Ray Towry praised the agencies’ coordinated response. He thanked Sheriff Kriete and Chief Green’s teams for their assistance.
Police said an Ephrata resident’s car likely sustained enough damage in a collision involving the Subaru to be declared a total loss. Authorities said the incident poses no current danger to the public.
Anyone with information about the shooting can contact Multiagency Communication Center dispatch at 509-762-1160.
