BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham Police Department (BPD) reported today, Monday, July 3rd, that they were investigating an early morning shooting that left a Bellingham man with a leg wound.
According to the BPD, officers were sent to a report of an assault with a firearm in the 500 block of York Street about 2:10am today. Witnesses reported seeing a woman, identified as Easter M. Iosefa, age 35 and from Seattle, arguing with a 21-year-old male outside a residence. Investigators determined she came to Bellingham to visit the victim. An argument ensued shortly after Iosefa’s arrival at the residence.
She was reported to have been waving a small, black handgun before she fired several rounds in the direction of the male. One of the rounds struck him in the thigh.
As officers arrived, Iosefa reportedly fled the area while witnesses helped the victim. According to BPD, “Officers saw Iosefa, called out to her and she complied with commands given and was arrested without incident.” The gun was not located on her person.
Click for more information
Click for more informationOther BPD officers worked to stop the victim’s bleeding and check for other injuries. Bellingham Fire Department medics transported the victim to PeaceHealth St Joseph’s Medical Center. The victim’s injuries were considered survivable.
One of the rounds fired went through a windowpane of an occupied house. None of the occupants were injured.
A Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit found the handgun in the 1500 block of Humboldt Street, along the path Iosefa was believed to have taken when fleeing the area.
Iosefa was arrested at the scene, booked into Whatcom County Jail and charged with 1st-degree assault – domestic violence, reckless endangerment and 3rd-degree malicious mischief.