Fairgrounds shooting investigated

No injuries reported

MOSES LAKE - The Grant County Sheriff's Office is investigating a weekend shooting that happened during a quinceanera at the Grant County Fairgrounds.

The doors and windows of about five vehicles parked outside the event were reportedly shot at 11:48 p.m. Saturday by a group of people believed to be from Moses Lake, said Grant County Chief Deputy Courtney Conklin on Wednesday. Most of the vehicles were owned by Royal City area residents.

The cars were empty during the shooting and no injuries were reported, he said.

The reported shooting happened after a guest was apparently asked to leave the event, he said. A group of people also left and were apparently upset.

"It sounds like they were trying to send a message," Conklin said

It's not clear if the shooting was gang-related, but gang members were believed to be at the event, Conklin said.

Fairgrounds security asked deputies to perform a drive-through of the area to be seen about 10 p.m.

Security reportedly said there wasn't a problem, but said many suspected gang members were at the event and apparently upset about a friend being kicked out, he said.

About 22 casings and three or four shotgun shells were found on the ground of the parking lot, Conklin said.

A Moses Lake Police report showed a 17-year-old Moses Lake male was found and detained at his home as part of the investigation.

No arrests have been made and further suspect information was unavailable Wednesday because the investigating deputy was working a graveyard shift, Conklin said.

Moses Lake Police assisted with the investigation.