Birch Bay man arrested on attempted murder charges following shootings

BIRCH BAY, Wash. — According to a press release issued today, August 11, 2026, from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), deputies were dispatched on August 10, 2026, at about 7:45pm to a residential area in Birch Bay for a report of an assault with a firearm. Multiple callers reported hearing gunshots and observing two victims with gunshot wounds.

According to law enforcement radio dispatches at the time, the shootings occurred in the 4900 block of Highland Drive.

Deputies located an adult victim and a 2-year-old child at a nearby residence, both with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, according to the WCSO press release. According to the press release, the adult victim reported that 63-year-old Anthony Palomba of Birch Bay shot them.

Palomba and the victim reportedly had a verbal argument earlier in the day. Later, Palomba pointed a firearm at the victim. The victim grabbed the child and ran out of the residence while Palomba fired shots, striking both victims, according to the press release. Palomba then pointed the firearm at one of three other adults present in the residence.

According to the press release, deputies surrounded Palomba as he attempted to flee, and deputies took him into custody without incident. Deputies observed a pistol on the passenger seat of Palomba’s vehicle.

Investigators executed search warrants, seizing the pistol from the vehicle and collecting items from the residence, including one fired bullet that entered the living room where two residents were sitting.

According to the press release, the victims were transported to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center.

Palomba was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on 2 counts of attempted murder, felony harassment (DV), reckless endangerment, and carrying firearms.