James M. Kelly, a 26-year-old individual, is being held in custody on charges of murder and other related offenses.
A shooting near the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington State has resulted in two deaths and multiple injuries, leading to the arrest of a suspect
The incident occurred during the two-day Beyond Wonderland electronic music festival, which was taking place at the venue. Kelly allegedly opened fire at a campground located a few hundred yards away from the concert area. The victims have been identified as Brandy Escamila, 29, and Josilyn Ruiz, 26, both from Seattle. In addition to the fatalities, three others were injured in the shooting, including two gunshot victims and a security officer who was hit by a deflected bullet.
Kelly, whose residence is listed as Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a military installation near Tacoma, was apprehended by law enforcement officers after he had fled the scene. He was initially treated at a hospital for a gunshot wound before being transferred to Grant County Jail.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a suspected motive for the shooting, and details about how Kelly sustained his injuries have not been made available
An officer-involved shooting occurred during the response to the incident, which will be investigated by the North Central Washington Special Investigations Unit.
Following the shooting, the music festival organizers issued a statement expressing their condolences to the victims and their families and announcing the cancellation of the festival’s second day of performances. Despite the tragic event, the festival commended the prompt response of local authorities and staff in managing the situation.
The lineup for the festival included notable artists such as Dillon Francis, Flosstradamus, Marshmello, and Afrojack.