UPDATED: MLPD releases additional info on Friday drive-by investigation
A Moses Lake Police Department cruiser sits outside a property on Buell Drive in Moses Lake Saturday as the execution of a search warrant was being wrapped up at that location. The warrant was issued in association with the investigation of a Friday evening drive-by shooting several blocks away.
CHERYL SCHWEIZER/COLUMBIABASINHERALD
UPDATE - Sunday, 6:18 p.m. - Moses Lake School District Superintendent Carol Lewis has issued a statement regarding the young shooting victim, who has not been identified by name.
"With profound sadness, we share that one of our students from Frontier Middle School has passed away. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the student’s family, friends, and all those impacted by this tragedy. Losing a young member of our community is devastating. During this difficult time, we are committed to surrounding our students and staff with the support and care they need," Lewis said.
Additional support staff will be on-hand at Frontier Monday with school counselors, security and safety personnel, MLPD officers, New Hope and support staff on hand to help those dealing with the grief of the student's loss. Additional substitute teachers will also be on campus there and other impacted locations throughout the district to provide extra security, coverage and flexibility for those needing time to grieve and support students.
The district urges families, students and staff to reach out to the district and other resources as needed to obtain support.
Additional resources include:
- Crisis Line (24 hours): 1-800-852-2923
- Renew: (509) 765-9239
- Moses Lake Community Health: (509) 765-0674
- Confluence Health/Behavioral Health: (509) 764-6400
- Youth Dynamics: Will be open 3:30-5:30pm daily for middle and high school students
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department has released additional information regarding the drive-by shooting that occurred on West Loop Drive Friday evening shortly after 9 p.m. during which a 14-year-old boy was killed.
“Detectives continue an around-the-clock investigation into the shooting and several search warrants have been issued and executed,” a statement from MLPD Cpt. Jeff Sursely said.
One of those search warrants was executed Saturday by the Moses Lake Tactical Response team at a home at 1518 Buell Drive in Moses Lake to collect evidence related to the investigation, Sursely said.
In addition to the deceased boy, four other Moses Lake residents were injured and treated at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake. They include two female victims aged 26 and 17 and two male victims, both minors, at 17 and 13 years of age. Those victims were reported in stable condition Saturday.
The shooting occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Friday in the 500 block of West Loop Drive. The scene was locked down until the following morning while MLPD, with the aid of the Washington State Crime Lab, collected evidence.
A vehicle believed to have been used in the incident has been located and seized as evidence, but no suspects have been reported as arrested as of early Sunday afternoon.
Considering the death of the boy, the Moses Lake School District has said it is prepared to assist students and staff who are grieving the loss of their classmate and student. Anyone needing to speak with a counselor is advised to speak with their teacher or campus administration to access that care.
Sursely advised that no further information will be released at this time in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Anyone with information about the shooting may contact the Moses Lake Police Department and reference case number 25ML03882.
The Columbia Basin Herald will publish additional information as it becomes available.