An Ephrata man convicted of five counts of aggravated assault and multiple other charges in a Fourth of July shooting resulting from a Snapchat argument was sentenced to 24 to 50 years in prison on December 22, 2021.

Mark Ivie Jr., 21, opened fire at a group of men with an AR-15 rifle during an altercation at the Ivie’s home on Blackberry Lane around 1:30 a.m. on July 5, 2020.

Sentencing Judge Donald Totaro stated he was not giving a “volume discount” due to their being multiple victims in the shooting. Totaro ordered consecutive sentences for each victim.

“Each victim is entitled to their own measure of justice,” prosecuting First Deputy District Attorney Travis S. Anderson said.

The jury previously heard testimony that a former coworker of Ivie Jr. posted a music video on Snapchat, which Ivie Jr. criticized, leading him to respond to the post and start an argument.

The former coworker, who had been having a Fourth of July cookout with five other friends, continued arguing with Ivie Jr. until the latter sent his Blackberry Lane address for the two to have a fistfight.

The six unarmed individuals showed up at the residence at Blackberry Lane as Ivie Jr. and his father, Mark Ivie Sr., waited out front of the house and went down to meet them on the sidewalk. Ivie Sr. possessed an AR-15 rifle.

A fight ensued between Ivie Jr. and a member of the group which went to the ground. Everyone got back to their feet and Ivie Sr. handed the gun to Ivie Jr. before the father threw a punch toward one of the men.

Immediately after, Ivie Jr. took off the safety and fired 14 rounds at the group of men, striking four of them while two bullets went into nearby houses.

The initial gunfire caused the men to run; video evidence showed Ivie Jr. maneuvering around a truck to continue firing.

The entire incident was caught on a neighbor’s surveillance system.

Mark Ivie Sr., 44, faces one count of criminal conspiracy, six counts of aggravated assault and a count of simple assault at his upcoming trial.  He is presumed innocent. 

Ephrata Police Detective Graeme Quinn filed charges, testified, and attended the trial and sentencing.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.