Bellingham police arrested a 26-year-old man on the night of Saturday, Feb. 15, in connection to a shooting Tuesday, Feb. 11, that left one man injured.
Officers contacted the suspect around 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, in the 3200 block of W. Maplewood Avenue, said Lt. Claudia Murphy, a spokesperson for the Bellingham Police Department. An officer recognized the suspect and saw him get on a mini motorcycle in an attempt to flee.
The officer pushed the suspect off the motorcycle but then the suspect fled on foot into a large blackberry bramble. The suspect made it back to the motorcycle, got on to flee, Murphy said.
During the pursuit, the suspect fled northwest toward W. Bakerview Road, getting onto northbound I-5 with officers following, Murphy said. The suspect then drove through the median and onto I-5 southbound. He crashed the motorcycle and then got back on, continuing to flee. He exited at W. Bakerview Road, went to McLeod Road and then to Home Road.
At some point, suspect abandoned the motorcycle and fled on foot, Murphy said.
Officers located the suspect at the 3600 block of E. Rusley Drive, Murphy said. The suspect did not listen to officers commands and less lethal tools, including taser and bean bag rounds, were attempted.
The suspect continued to flee further down the block until he was taken into custody without incident, Murphy said.
The suspect was wanted in connection to allegedly shooting a 37-year-old Bellingham man on Feb. 11 after a disagreement about gas payment the day before, Murphy said. The suspect confronted the victim at the 3200 block of W. Maplewood Avenue, trying to take the car and demanding cash.
He then allegedly brandished a pistol grip-style shotgun and shot the victim in the leg, telling the victim, “next time I see you, I am going to kill you.” Around $350 in cash that the victim had is also missing.
The suspect left the scene before officers arrived, Murphy said. He allegedly tossed the firearm along I-5, which officers were able to retrieve on Feb. 12.
The victim was taken to PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Emergency Department with a gunshot wound to the left lower thigh/knee. He was later taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Probable cause was established to arrest the victim for crimes related to first-degree assault, first-degree robbery, felony harassment, unlawful possession of a firearm, attempting to elude police and resisting arrest.
The suspect was booked into the Whatcom County Jail around 9:30 Saturday night.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
