Everson resident shot during encounter with Border Patrol

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — A 39-year-old Everson resident was charged in federal court on June 17, 2026, with being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to a press release from the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.

According to records filed in the case, US Border Patrol agents responded on June 16, 2026, to an area near the US-Canada border in Blaine after a surveillance camera recorded a person walking in the area. Agents encountered Nathaniel A. Muniz-Spry and attempted to confirm his identity.

Case records state that agents found an approach with caution alert in the National Crime Information Center records for Muniz-Spry from a prior contact with law enforcement. During a physical search, an agent located a firearm in the waistband of Muniz-Spry.

According to case records, Muniz-Spry broke away from the agent as the agent secured the firearm, and he was shot in the leg while attempting to flee. Law enforcement personnel transported Muniz-Spry to a PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center for medical care. Hospital staff released Muniz-Spry to law enforcement custody later in the day.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, Muniz-Spry is legally prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior criminal convictions, which include:

2018 conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm in Skagit County
2018 conviction for unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun or rifle in Skagit County
2018 conviction for possession of a stolen vehicle in Skagit County
2018 conviction for bail jumping in Whatcom County
2018 conviction for 1st-degree unlawful possession of a firearm in Whatcom County
2014 conviction for 2nd-degree burglary in Whatcom County
2014 conviction for bail jumping in Whatcom County
2011 conviction for felony violation of a no-contact order in Whatcom County
2009 conviction for residential burglary in Whatcom County

According to the press release, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case with assistance from the Blaine Police Department, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Woods is prosecuting the case with assistance from the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

At the time of this arrest, Muniz-Spry was out of custody after posting a $50,000 appearance bond in October of 2025 while awaiting trial in Whatcom County Superior Court where he is facing the following charges.

2 counts of 1st-degree unlawful possession of a firearm
possession of controlled substances
possession of amphetamine or Meth with intent to manufacture, deliver
2 counts of being armed with a deadly weapon at the time of the commission of a crime (typically results in exceptionally longer sentences)

The charges resulted from a traffic stop on W Bakerview Road on July 25, 2025. During a search of the vehicle, approximately 57g of methamphetamine and approximately 13.6g of Fentanyl were reportedly discovered.