Bellingham Police arrested two suspects in connection with the attempted murder of a 25-year-old man during a drive-by shooting near a Walmart on Thursday afternoon. Both have since been charged with attempted murder.
Officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire at the 4400 block of Meridian Street at about 3:30 p.m. By the time officers arrived, the two vehicles involved in the shooting were gone, confirmed Bellingham Police Public Information Officer Megan Peters.
Witnesses reported to police that a White Jeep SUV pulled up alongside a green Hyundai Santa Fe before the driver of the Jeep opened fire. The driver fired multiple shots at the 25-year-old man as he was getting into the Hyundai, according to witnesses.
“The man, who was injured by the gunfire, drove to a nearby establishment where he received life-saving assistances from a social worker that was there,” Peters said. “Another individual then took the victim to the hospital in a privately owned vehicle.”
A Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputy located a vehicle matching the description of the Jeep involved in the shooting, pulling it over on Axton Road.
“Before the vehicle pulled over, a handgun was thrown out the passenger-side window by the female passenger,” Peters explained. “Deputies located the weapon and secured it until crime scene investigators responded.”
After establishing probable cause, the deputy arrested the driver, Jesus Monreal Bojorquez, 26, and the passenger, Jordan Kay Velthuizen, 25. Both were charged Friday with attempted murder, said Whatcom County Prosecutor Eric Richey.
Bojorquez also was charged for being a non-U.S. citizen in possession of a firearm, Richey said.
They were scheduled for a preliminary appearance in Whatcom County Superior Court at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29.
The shooting victim, who police declined to identify, is receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the shooting, Peters confirmed.
— CDN staff reporter Ralph Schwartz contributed to this report.
