OTHELLO, Wash. — Two 16-year-old girls were shot and one of them died on Thursday night when an unidentified suspect fired several shots from another vehicle, striking two of the SUV’s five occupants.
According to the Othello Police Department, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Sylvan Dr & Rose Dr at 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 for reports of gunfire. When they arrived, officers observed a white SUV that crashed into an apartment complex.
They made contact with five occupants including two 16-year-old girls who were struck by gunfire. Shortly after, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene while a passenger was rushed to Othello Community Hospital with life-threatening injuries. She was later transferred to a different hospital for more extensive care.
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The three others escaped from the shooting without injuries. Othello police investigators learned that the white SUV was following behind the suspect vehicle when someone fired shots back at them. That’s when the driver was struck and veered off the road.
Evidence recovered during the early stages of this investigation suggests that the shooting was gang-related. However, Othello police officials didn’t elaborate on what led them to believe this was the case.
Shell casings were recovered at the scene and Crime Scene Investigators from the Washington State Patrol were called in to process the area.
No further details on the suspect, vehicle, or anyone else that might’ve been involved were released to the public. If you were a witness to this crime or have any information, you’re urged to contact the Othello Police Department at 509-488-3314.
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