87-Year-Old Man Target Shoots Near Moses Lake Truck Stop

Of all the weird law enforcement calls, this one is the strangest so far this year, in our region.

    Elderly Man Decides to Stop Next to Busy Truck Stop, and Fire Off a few Rounds

Thursday afternoon Moses Lake Police got a call from a passing trucker, about an elderly man who was target shooting—right next to a busy truck stop.

When Officers arrived at the area right next to the Love’s Truck Stop on Pritchard Road, they found the 87-year-old man, from Maple Valley, WA, who was firing off some rounds.

   What Else Was Next to the Target Area?

Due to the proximity to I-90, the Washington State Patrol also responded.  The elderly man had a makeshift target, and was firing off rounds, with a neighborhood and the WSP office downrange from the target area!  The area where he was shooting is circled in our photo.

He was apparently on his way to Montana from Maple Valley, and decided it was the thing to do.  However, a check of his ID and firearm registration showed the handgun had been stolen.

The defendant, Phillip Griffin, was booked into the Grant County Jail on charges of possession of a stolen firearm, reckless endangerment, and discharging a firearm within city limits.

His gun and makeshift target were also seized as evidence.