Drive-by suspects arrested in Ephrata

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake police arrested two males in Ephrata a day after a drive-by shooting took place on West Broadway Avenue in Moses Lake.

Moses Lake police were dispatched to the scene of the shooting Tuesday about 5:30 p.m., shortly after a suspect had allegedly arrived in a vehicle and fired seven rounds from a handgun, according to Capt. Dave Ruffin.

The rounds were fired in the vicinity of a male victim who was not injured in the assault, although Ruffin said separate vehicles were struck by bullets.

Then, on Wednesday about 11 a.m., Moses Lake officers working as part of the U.S. Marshals Task Force located the suspect, Orson J. Aguilar, 23, of Moses Lake, at a residence on B Street Northeast in Ephrata, Ruffin stated. Aguilar was arrested inside the residence for assault in the first degree and drive-by shooting. Officers also arrested a 16-year-old male on an unspecified juvenile warrant. The juvenile is also under investigation for his possible involvement in the shooting, according to a Moses Lake police report.

At the residence, officers recovered a 9 mm handgun believed to have been used at the crime scene as well as another handgun - a .22 caliber revolver - and other contraband, according to Ruffin.

The suspect vehicle - a 1996 blue Chevy Cavalier four door - was impounded pending a search warrant, the police report stated.

Ruffin did not respond to queries Thursday as to whether the shooting victim was connected to or knew the suspects.

The case is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Moses Lake Police Department at 509-764-3887 or 509-762-1160.