10/09/2026
UPDATE: Friday, Oct. 9 at 4:30 p.m. — The investigation is ongoing and work will continue over the weekend as officers work the case. No further updates will be provided until a significant change in the status of the case emerges. We do not anticipate additional updates prior to Monday, Oct. 12 at this time.
Re: October 8, 2026, shooting incident near Linda Ridge Loop
CORRECTION: The suspects were detained, interviewed, and released pending further investigation.
EPHRATA — Ephrata Police Department officers, in partnership with the Quincy Police Department, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Multiagency Communication Center (MACC), continued their investigation into the shooting that occurred at around 6 p.m. October 8, 2026, in the 1100 block of 2nd Avenue NE.
“Our law enforcement officers and regional partners worked throughout the night to identify those involved in the shooting and collect evidence associated with the incident,” Ephrata Public Information Officer Rob Miller said.
One round was fired during the incident wherein the occupants of two vehicles had gone through an apartment complex antagonizing residents of the complex while wearing masks. Residents of at least one of the units in the complex came out and confronted the occupants of the vehicles, while also wearing masks. An altercation ensued wherein an occupant of one of the vehicles fired a shot which did not hit anyone. No property appears to have been hit either. The vehicles then fled the scene and one of the two vehicles, a red Subaru, was involved in a collision, rendering it inoperable. Occupants of that vehicle got into the other vehicle, a 2021 Jeep Compass.
During the investigation, six young male suspects were detained for questioning, five of whom were minors. Suspects included Efrain Silva-Millan, 19, of Quincy; 13-, 15-, 16-, and 17-year-olds from Quincy; and one 14-year-old from Mattawa. The suspects were interviewed and are in not custody at this time. The minors’ identities will not be made public due to their age.
Evidence collected includes the two vehicles involved, a red Subaru sedan and the Jeep. Video footage from a local convenience store places the suspects in Ephrata shortly before the incident. Search warrants were served on the two vehicles Friday morning. A pistol and drum magazine were found in the Jeep and an am******on magazine with rounds in it, two unspent rounds, and one shell casing were found in the Subaru.
Cpt. Troy Froewiss expressed gratitude for a resident who took a photo of the Jeep’s license plate, helping investigators track it down more quickly.
The investigation is ongoing, and no final decision on charges has been made, but likely charges include drive-by shooting, rioting, and hit-and-run.
“The quick responses by our law enforcement teams, Ephrata’s and our neighboring agencies, is a testament to the collaborative culture in those agencies. For multiple agencies to work together and do this much work so quickly is just a tremendous accomplishment on their part,” shared City Administrator Ray Towry. “We are lucky to have them all on our team. I can’t thank Sheriff Kriete and Chief Green’s teams enough.”
No people were injured during the incident, but an Ephrata resident’s car is likely totaled after being involved in a collision with the Subaru. There is currently no danger to the public. Witnesses are encouraged to contact MACC Dispatch at 509-762-1160 to report any information they may have.
The Ephrata Police Department and the City of Ephrata’s administration appreciate the assistance of the Quincy Police Department, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and MACC Dispatch during the incident and throughout the ongoing investigation. Cooperation among law enforcement agencies helps make everyone in Ephrata and Grant County safer.
