Custer man walked into Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, confessed to murder

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Donald Edward Malone, age 61, was arrested and charged with 1st-degree murder late Thursday, August 7, 2025, according to Whatcom County Jail records.

About 12pm the next day, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement regarding what led up to the arrest.

On August 7, 2025, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office arrested 61-year-old Donald Malone in connection with the fatal shooting of a man at a residence located in the 3000 block of W 75th St., Custer, WA. Malone, a resident of the home, came to the Sheriff’s Office to report that he had shot and killed a man at his residence the previous day (August 6, 2025).

According to statements made to detectives, the victim, known to Malone, approached him on August 6, 2025, at a local shopping center, offering to drive him home to assist with cleaning out the garage. Malone, who expressed dislike for the victim, avoided continued interaction and traveled back to his residence via back roads. Shortly after arriving there, Malone observed the victim driving down his driveway. Malone armed himself with a handgun, exited the residence, and shot the victim multiple times outside the home, without saying anything to him.

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The following day (August 7, 2025), he traveled to the Sheriff’s Office in Bellingham and told detectives about the shooting. Detectives went to the residence to investigate and located the deceased victim. Malone was subsequently arrested and booked into the Whatcom County Jail for investigation of Murder in the First Degree.

“As we progress with our investigation into this deeply upsetting incident, I want to emphasize our unwavering commitment to the community,” said Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley. “The Sheriff’s Office is diligently working to gather all pertinent evidence and pursue justice for those affected.”

No further details will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

– Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (August 8, 2025)