EVERSON, Wash. — Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputies were dispatched yesterday November 11th around 9:30pm due to a report of a shooting in the 3100 block of Hopewell Road in Everson.
According to a narrative provided by WCSO, the victim was said to have previously been in a relationship with 1 of the suspects and was visiting a friend who resides on the same property as the 1 suspect. The 1 suspect and the victim got into an argument. The victim left the residence and was confronted by the 1 suspect and another man while attempting to leave in a vehicle.
Both men were reported to have stood outside the driver’s door with guns pointed at the victim. The second suspect reportedly shot through the driver’s door, missing the victim who was able to exit via the passenger door and fled to a neighbor’s house.
Due to the violent nature of the incident and the danger the suspects posed to deputies and the public, the WCSO Special Response Unit (SRU) was activated. The SRU consists of WCSO Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT).
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Click for more informationThe SWAT team arrested the second suspect, identified as Rene Gonzalez, age 51, at the residence without incident. A search warrant of the residence was granted which located a rifle and a semi-automatic handgun.
The first suspect, identified as Jose Jesus Garcia, age 46, had been followed by deputies as he left the property in his vehicle. He was eventually arrested by WCSO deputies and SWAT team members. A shotgun was located in his vehicle.
Both Garcia and Gonzalez have prior felony convictions which means they cannot legally possess firearms.
They were booked into Whatcom County Jail and charged with 1st degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm. As of today, November 12th, both remained in custody and were scheduled to make preliminary appearances in Whatcom County Superior Court this afternoon..