East Wenatchee, WA – A homicide investigation that began Wednesday on US Highway 97 has now led to the arrest of a 16-year-old male, according to Douglas County Sheriff’s Office officials. The case triggered a large multi-agency response and caused significant travel delays in the Orondo area.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and Washington State Patrol, along with local fire and EMS crews, were dispatched around 12:14 p.m. Wednesday after reports of an unresponsive man inside a vehicle near milepost 228 on US-97. First responders attempted lifesaving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies reported the victim suffered injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.
A portion of US-97 was shut down following the discovery, and Washington State Department of Transportation personnel established a detour that lasted several hours. Drivers across Douglas County, Chelan County, and the greater Wenatchee Valley experienced delays during the closure.
On Thursday, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 1400 block of Columbia Avenue in Bridgeport, WA. The operation involved multiple assisting agencies, including the Columbia River Drug Task Force, Grant County Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, East Cascades SWAT, Washington State Patrol, East Wenatchee Police Department, and Lifeline Ambulance.
According to investigators, the operation resulted in the arrest of a 16-year-old male juvenile for alleged Murder in the Second Degree. Detectives say the investigation remains active, and additional details will be released as they become available. The identity of the victim has not yet been released.
Anyone with information is urged to contact RiverCom Dispatch at (509) 663-9911.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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