19-year-old faces 1st-degree attempted murder charge

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham Police Department issued a statement today, Friday, November 15th, regarding an incident that resulted in the arrest of a 19-year-old on a charge of 1st-degree attempted murder.

On November 14, 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Bellingham Police responded to an apartment complex in the 500 block of Sterling Drive after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots with an injured person.

Officers arrived on scene within minutes. Additional resources arrived quickly due to an extra emphasis patrol that had been pre-planned due to previous reports of gunshots fired in the area. The most recent incidents occurred between 11/12/2024 and 11/9/2024. Suspect(s) or probable cause have not yet been established to arrest anyone for those incidents.

Responding Bellingham Police units quickly located a single victim who suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Officers rendered medical aid until Bellingham Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. The victim remains in critical condition.

Advertisement

Click for more information

Advertisement

Click for more information

Surveillance video footage was obtained from the apartment complex. It shows the victim walking toward his residence carrying groceries when they collapse. Multiple muzzle flashes can be seen above the victim, indicating the suspect shot the victim multiple times as they tried to crawl away.

During the investigation, 19-year-old Alexis Molina was contacted in the apartment that he shares with the victim. A search warrant was obtained for a search of the apartment. During the search, a small safe was located. Police Service Dog Raven, trained to detect explosives and firearms, alerted on the safe. Amendments to the search warrant were granted allowing Crime Scene Investigators to open the safe. A 9 mm handgun, consistent with evidence located at the scene, was located inside the safe.

Based on the investigation, probable cause was established to arrest Mr. Molina for Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree (DV).

Investigations are ongoing for the attempted murder and the previous shots fired reports. Detectives are still seeking additional information regarding all these incidents.  Contact Det. Mitchelson or Det. Hauri at 360-778-8611.  Tips can also be submitted online at www.cob.org/tips.

Thank you to our law enforcement partners, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). WSP Troopers and WCSO Deputies came to the scene to assist our detectives and officers.

According to the Bellingham Police Department log and Whatcom County Jail records, Molina was arrested on January 19th and charged with misdemeanor assault after officers responded to a reported physical domestic violence incident in the 500 block of Sterling Drive.