Woman shot, Ephrata man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

EPHRATA — A 31-year-old Ephrata man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after he allegedly shot and wounded a woman, then refused to come out of the house Thursday morning.

Tomas Miguel Lopez allegedly shot the 21-year-old victim during a domestic dispute, according to a press release from the Ephrata Police Department. The incident occurred at 17 F St. SW and was reported about 8:15 a.m.

“The victim had received at least two gunshot wounds, one to her abdomen and one to her upper thigh,” the press release said. “(She) was found taking shelter at a neighbor’s residence.”

The woman was transported to Columbia Basin Hospital, then airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. 

Lopez remained in the house and refused requests from the EPD to come outside, the press release said. 

“The Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team arrived and placed an armored vehicle at the front of the residence. The suspect was observed lying just inside the open front door,” the EPD release said. “(He) appeared incapable of leaving the residence (and) an arrest team moved up and placed the suspect into custody.”

Lopez appeared to be under the influence of intoxicating substances and was transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake for treatment, the release said. He was later taken into custody.

Along with EPD and the MLTRT, law enforcement officers from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Soap Lake Police Department and the Moses Lake Police Department responded to the incident. Personnel from the Ephrata Fire Department, Lifeline Ambulance and the Bureau of Land Management also responded, the EPD release said. 

More information will be released Friday, the release said.