New information released in Grant County Fair shooting, sheriff's office looking to improve safety

MOSES LAKE, Wash. - The Grant County Sheriff's Office released new information on a shooting that left two girls seriously injured at the fairgrounds Friday night.

Investigators have clarified the ages of the victims and what led up to the shooting.

According to authorities, a 15-year-old boy from Wenatchee was attending the fair with his family, his 14-year-old girlfriend and her family.

Authorities said the boy got into an argument that turned into a physical fight with a known opposing gang member and when he pulled out his gun, the gun went off. Authorities said the bullet hit the boy's 14-year-old girlfriend in the back, then hit a 16-year-old girl who was standing nearby.

Deputies from the Sheriff's Crime Reduction Team (CRT) were already headed to the area after hearing about the fight in progress. When witnesses pointed to the 15-year-old gunman, the boy ran and members of the crowd stepped in and tackled him to the ground until deputies could get to them. Authorities said the boy still had the handgun.

The two girls are expected to be okay and are continuing to recover.

The 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault with a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm and reckless endangerment.

The sheriff's office confirmed at least two of the arrests made during the fair on Thursday and Friday nights were gang-related. The third boy who was detained Thursday was found to be carrying a handgun. While the three situations are not related to one another, the sheriff's office said it is going to meet with the fairgrounds staff and stakeholders to discuss the shooting and develop plans to improve safety at the fairgrounds.

COPYRIGHT 2024 BY APPLE VALLEY NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.