Ephrata man dies after altercation at party

EPHRATA — An Ephrata man has died after he allegedly sustained injuries in a fight during a party in Ephrata Friday night.

David Blackman, 27, died early Saturday morning at Confluence Health-Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, according to a press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident was reported at about 10 p.m. Friday in the 1100 block of state Route 28 West. Blackman was unconscious and unresponsive when EMS personnel arrived, the press release said. Bystanders were performing CPR.

Blackman was transported by ambulance to Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata and later airlifted to Wenatchee, where he died. An autopsy has been scheduled for Thursday.

Detectives investigating the case were told of an altercation at the party, allegedly involving Blackman. The case is still under investigation.

• Cheryl Schweizer