***UPDATE*** The gun believed to have been used in this incident has been recovered by police.

On Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at approximately 5:45pm, Ephrata Police officers responded to a reported altercation involving several juvenile acquaintances in the area of the Ephrata Post Office, 129 East Main St., Ephrata. During the altercation, several shots were fired by one of the participants. Investigation revealed that a male juvenile resident of Ephrata became engaged in a verbal and physical altercation, produced a handgun, struck two other juveniles with the handgun and fired several shots. No people were hit by the gunfire. None of the people involved required medical treatment. 

Police investigated the incident, identified the shooter, and took the 14 year old Ephrata boy into custody at approximately 11:20pm at a residence in Ephrata without incident. The child was committed to the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center pending a hearing. He was charged with Aggravated Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Possession of Firearm by a Minor, and Firearm Not to be Carried Without a License. 

The gun used in the incident has not been located by police. The gun was described as a black handgun.  Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Det. Quinn at 717-738-9200 x242.