Multiple overnight shootings, vehicle fire under investigation in Bridgeport area

BRIDGEPORT — Douglas County detectives are investigating three early morning incidents Sunday in the Bridgeport area involving two reported shootings at homes and a vehicle fire believed to be connected to a stolen pickup.

Douglas County deputies were first dispatched at about 1:47 a.m. March 8 to a reported weapons violation in the 400 block of state Route 173 in Bridgeport Bar, according to a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office press release.

Witnesses reported multiple gunshots fired from a pickup truck toward a residence before the vehicle fled the area. Deputies responding to the scene found no injuries, but investigators recovered more than 60 shell casings of various handgun calibers outside the residence. The home had been struck by several bullets.

While deputies were processing that scene, authorities received a report at about 1:56 a.m. of a vehicle fire outside the Bridgeport Quick-Mart at 2606 Foster Creek Ave. Deputies, along with Bridgeport Fire and EMS personnel, arrived to find a pickup truck fully engulfed in flames. The vehicle was determined to be stolen from the Bridgeport area and was considered a total loss.

Investigators determined the burned truck matched the description of the vehicle involved in the earlier shooting. After the fire was extinguished, the vehicle was impounded pending a search warrant. No injuries were reported.

At about 4:32 a.m., deputies responded to a second reported shooting in the 100 block of Fir Avenue in Bridgeport Bar. A caller reported multiple shots fired at a residence, with several rounds striking the home. One bullet entered a child’s bedroom while a child was inside. No injuries were reported. Deputies recovered more than 10 handgun shell casings outside the residence.

The sheriff’s office said the incidents are believed to be gang-related and are being investigated concurrently by Douglas County detectives.

Agencies assisting included the Brewster Police Department, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, RiverCom Dispatch and Bridgeport Fire and EMS.

Anyone with information or surveillance video related to the incidents is asked to contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 509-699-3283.