Teenager shoots girlfriend and passersby at Grant County Fairgrounds

A Wenatchee boy is in custody following an alleged shooting at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake.

The Grant County Fair will continue as planned on Saturday (the last night of the festivities), but police are significantly increasing their presence there.

The following report comes from Kyle Foreman, spokesman for the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

Just before 9 p.m. on Friday, a gang-related altercation on the fairgrounds got out of control. It began with the 15-year-old suspect exchanging verbal blows with a member of a rival gang. The incident soon escalated into violence; this occurred near some rides at the south end of the fairgrounds.

The suspect had a weapon on him – a pistol. While attempting to draw the weapon, he accidentally fired a single shot. The bullet struck his 16-year-old girlfriend, pierced her back, and then struck an “unrelated” 14-year-old in the leg.

The panicked suspect ran away on foot, but was intercepted by fairgoers, who knocked the suspect off balance before overpowering him.

Officers from the Crime Reduction Team, a unit of the sheriff's office, soon arrested him and confiscated the firearm. The suspect will be housed at the Chelan County Juvenile Justice Center in Wenatchee.

Investigators are recommending serious charges: first-degree assault with a firearm or deadly weapon, second-degree illegal possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment.

As previously mentioned, two young girls were injured by the shooter. Both were treated at Samaritan Healthcare in Moses Lake and are reportedly in stable condition. Their injuries, while serious, do not appear to be life-threatening.

Anyone who witnessed the shooting is asked to contact Criminal Investigation at 509-762-1160. Case number: 24GS10016.