2 teens from Royal shot

EPHRATA - The Ephrata Police Department Thursday was asking for the public's help in finding assailants who shot three people at a mini-mart in Ephrata the night of March 31.

Ephrata Police Department Chief Mike Warren said the shooting appears to be gang-related. Two of the victims are from Royal City, he said.

The incident reportedly started about 6 p.m. at the Tiger Paws mini-mart, located at 1750 Basin St. SW. It occurred while a group of four men were outside the gas station.

"At least one of the males reportedly went inside the business and, upon exiting, three of the males were shot by an unidentified male," Warren said.

Warren said a witness reportedly indicated there was more than one person involved in the shooting, but he said there is currently only one suspected shooter.

He said the police department is waiting on video surveillance of the incident.

On the night of the shooting Warren said the three victims admitted to being gang members but were not cooperating with police.

Warren said two of the victims are 18-year-old Royal City residents and the other victim is a juvenile. He did not release the names of the victims.

One of the victims was reportedly airlifted via MedStar helicopter to a hospital in Wenatchee.

None of their injuries are life-threatening.

"The suspects fled in a dark-colored Mazda vehicle. It was reported that more than one person was in the suspect vehicle," Warren said.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the police department, 509-754-2491, or the Multi-Agency Communications Center, 888-431-9911. People can leave information via email at crimetips@ephrata.org.