A 35-year-old Blaine man was arrested by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office after a seven-hour standoff at his residence on Friday, Aug. 9, according to law enforcement.
Tristen Alexander was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on probable cause for multiple domestic violence charges relating to burglary, felony harassment, third-degree assault, stalking, violating a protection order, disclosing intimate images, tampering with a witness and unlawful imprisonment, according to Deb Slater, a spokesperson for WCSO.
Alexander had been previously arrested in May by the Blaine Police Department for sending a threatening photo to a victim, who he later allegedly assaulted on Aug. 2, Slater said.
The victim reported multiple instances of unwanted contact, including texts and sightings of Alexander’s vehicle near the victim’s residence and workplace, after Alexander was released from jail in July, Slater said. A no-contact order had been issued when Alexander was released.
On July 29, Alexander violated the no-contact order and forced himself into the victim’s residence, where he allegedly assaulted them. The victim was able to escape and flee to a nearby gas station, where Alexander allegedly followed them.
WSCO established probable cause to arrest Alexander on multiple offenses and attempted to contact him on Friday, Slater said. Alexander refused to communicate with deputies at his residence.
Because of the severity of the charges and Alexander’s potential access to firearms, SWAT and crisis negotiators were deployed. A search warrant was also authorized.
Multiple agencies responded to the standoff including the Blaine Police Department, the Bellingham Police Department, the Lynden Police Department and Homeland Security, who provided tactical robots for the incident, Slater said.
Less lethal and chemical munitions were used near the end of the standoff, Slater said. Alexander was treated for minor injuries before he was booked into custody.
More charges could be pending as the investigation continues.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
