EPHRATA — In the wake of a shooting incident in Ephrata on July 20, the local community is rallying around the family of Daniel Alcala, who was fatally shot during an altercation at a gas pump.  

Alcala, 30, was a husband and father to three children.  

According to the Grant County Coroner Investigator Maxwell Yoder, his death resulted from multiple gunshot wounds. The death has officially been ruled a homicide, according to a statement from the city of Ephrata.  

The alleged shooter, Eriberto Mendoza, is currently in custody at the Grant County Jail on a charge of second-degree murder without parole, according to the Grant County Jail roster. He appeared before a judge July 21 for a probable cause hearing, according to the city of Ephrata. Mendoza is scheduled for arraignment Aug. 4, according to the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office.  

“After spending an amazing day with his wife and kids, they had enjoyed a day of swimming and fishing, which took a devastating turn, becoming the most horrifying day for our entire family,” said Mina Hernandez, Alcala’s sister-in-law, who is leading efforts to support the grieving family. “Daniel was fatally shot in front of his beautiful children and wife, a senseless loss that no family deserves.” 

Hernandez said the family now faces the burden of funeral costs and ongoing living expenses. In response, multiple community initiatives have sprung up to provide support. 

GoFundMe campaign 

Hernandez initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist Alcala’s family.  

“I decided to start it because my sister’s going to need time off work, and she has three kids under the age of 12,” Hernandez said. “I thought this would be a way that I can help her.”  

As of Wednesday, GoFundMe has raised over $8,000, with a goal of $20,000 to help cover funeral costs and various needs for Alcala’s family.  

“There is a lot of support from the community,” Hernandez added. “The situation is unfortunate, but I’m glad my sister has support and doesn’t feel so alone through all of this.”  

Hernandez said any additional funds outside of the funeral costs will go back to Alcala’s children. 

“It's mostly to support his small children,” Hernandez said. “We're so thankful for the people that have already helped. We didn't expect to actually get that much feedback from everyone. I just want my sister to be set for a few months, because I know it's going to be hard. The kids will probably have to go to therapy.”  

Hernandez said Alcala was known for spending quality time with his family and making sure they had everything they needed. 

“He was just trying to be the father figure he never had,” Hernandez said. “He focused a lot on his family, that was everything to him.” 

For those who would like to donate to the campaign visit: bit.ly/AlcalaGoFundMe. 

Fundraising at Dusty's In-and-Out 

In addition to the GoFundMe effort, Dusty’s In-and-Out, the Ephrata restaurant where Alcala's wife Fabi Alcala works, is donating all tips made during the week to help the family.  

“I asked all the employees about it first and everyone agreed,” Dusty’s In-and-Out Manager Maria Morando said. “They thought it would be a good idea to help Fabi out, help out the kids and everything. We decided to take all our tips for the week — we started on Monday. I put a sign out on the tip jars, saying that all tips coming from the cash and the credit cards, any donations, will go to the family of the victim from that shooting.” 

Morando said Fabi has been a longtime employee of Dusty’s. 

“It's a really sad story, but it should be known that her family is the type of family that will give whatever they can off their back for you,” Morando said. “We just want to repay that; they need it. They need all the help they can get, whatever we can do to help them.”  

Morando said she doesn’t know how much they have raised yet. 

“She is such a hard worker,” Morando said about Fabi. “That whole family has just been going through a lot and everything. Everyone has been so generous.” 

Morando said they have had the community show up for the family. 

“Our regular customers, who know Fabi, have stepped up to help in any way they can,” Morando said.  

Those who would like to participate in this fundraiser can visit Dusty’s In-and-Out at 1277 Basin Street in Ephrata between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. and leave a tip. People do not have to purchase food to make a donation, Morando said.  

Pure Country Farms raffle fundraiser 

Pure Country Farms, where Daniel Alcala had worked since 2018, is also hosting a raffle fundraiser to support his family. Raffle tickets will be sold for $10 each, with proceeds going directly to Alcala's wife and children. Laura Smith, administrator at Pure Country Farms, emphasized the importance of honoring Alcala’s legacy.  

“He was a major asset to our farm,” Smith said. “He was just a loving, caring person, and always had a great attitude at work. Work and family life meant so much to him. He's part of our family. He's part of our farm family, and we want to help his family get through these tough times.”  

Smith said they came up with the idea as a form of remembering Alcala.  

“Daniel loved the farm,” Smith said. “He loved what he did. We thought that putting a package together for him and in remembrance of him, and giving it away to, you know, a couple of winners – that he would really appreciate it, especially for his family.” 

Participants in the raffle will have a chance to win a quarter of beef and a half-hog, both cut and wrapped to standard specifications. The winner will be announced next month.  

“Whether you knew Daniel personally or simply want to help a family facing unimaginable loss, your kindness matters more than ever,” Smith said. “Please join us in lifting up this family with love, prayers and support. Together, we can make a difference in their lives – just as Daniel made a difference in so many of ours.” 

Anyone who would like to enter the raffle can visit bit.ly/AcalaRaffle or stop by Pure County Farms at 7800 Road D NW in Ephrata, or Pure Country Harvest at 2721 W. Peninsula Drive in Moses Lake.  

Celebration of life car show at Moore Furniture 

A car show fundraiser is set to take place at Moore Furniture in Ephrata on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., organized by Alcala’s longtime friends.  

Eduardo Vizcarra, one of the event organizers, reflected on Alcala's passion for cars and the bond he shared with his friends. He said they started a group of people who like cars called “Bro’s Racing.”  

“We are all childhood friends and have been friends since,” Vizcarra said. “We drive Hondas, but any cars are welcome to the meets. Daniel’s favorite cars were older Hondas, especially the EF platform, but he loved all cars. He and his brother Freddy would build cars together (and) occasionally I would help, and other friends.” 

He said that he decided a car fundraiser would be the perfect event to celebrate Alcala.  

“I got the event set up the next day,” Vizcarra said. “I wanted to help his family in these hard times. The goal is to raise as much as we can for his family.” 

The gathering will provide an opportunity for community members to come together, admire a variety of cars, and donate to support Alcala’s family during their time of need. A donation jar will be available at the event, and Vizcarra expressed hope that the initiative will raise significant funds for the family. 

“Anyone can show up to support,” Vizcarra said. “Daniel was a great person to be around; he was always positive, funny and would give the shirt off his back to help.” 

Community grief and support 

These various fundraisers illustrate a profound sense of community solidarity in Ephrata, Hernandez said.  

“The support we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive,” Hernandez said. “People are really coming together to help a family that has suffered an unimaginable loss.”  

Ways to help: 

GoFundMe: bit.ly/AlcalaGoFundMe. 

Visit Dusty’s In-and-Out and donate a tip. 

Go to Pure Country Farms, Pure Country Harvest or bit.ly/AcalaRaffle to enter into the raffle for a quarter of a cow and a half hog. Raffle tickets are $10. 

Attend Daniel Alcala’s celebration of life car show on July 26 at 7:30 at Moore Furniture. There will be a donation jar and a car show.  

    Daniel Alcala with his three children Janelle, 12; Daniel, 10; and Daisy, 8. There are several fundraisers happening to raise funds for the children after losing their father on Sunday.
  

    Daniel Alcala smiles with his oldest daughter, Janelle.
  

    A picture of one of the car meets Daniel Alcala helped organize. A memorial car fundraiser at Moore Furniture in Ephrata is planned for July 26 at 7:30 PM, organized by Alcala’s long-time friends. The event will feature opportunities to look at cars and donate to Alcala’s family.
  

    Daniel Alcala poses with his three children. Dusty’s In-and-Out, a local restaurant where Alcala's wife, Fabi Alcala works, is donating all tips made during the week to help the family. Daniel died Sunday from gunshot wounds.