BLAINE, Wash. — Shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, October 4th, first responders were dispatched to the 4600 block of East Street in Blaine due to reports of shots fired.
Unconfirmed radio transmissions from aid and law enforcement personnel at the time reported a victim had been located.
Law enforcement were in contact with a suspect by phone when they arrived and took him into custody without incident.
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Click for more informationWhatcom County Sheriff’s Office booked Wayne Harold Mahar, Sr, age 76, into the Whatcom County Jail charged with suspicion of 1st-degree murder.
A Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office press release provided the following details.
WCSO Detectives found that Mr. Mahar had threatened to kill the victim because he was throwing rocks at his house and making too much noise. A neighbor of Mr. Mahar’s, who reported the shooting to 911, came outside after hearing the shot and witnessed Mr. Mahar standing on his front porch holding a gun. She noticed the victim lying face down on the ground in front of his residence. She asked Mr. Mahar if he had shot the victim. He replied, “Yeah.”
During an interview with WCSO Detectives, Mr. Mahar claimed the victim was an “asshole” who deserved to be dead. Mr. Mahar did not provide any detailed information regarding threats or harassment he received from the victim. He also admitted to wanting to kill the victim. Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (October 5, 2023)