FERNDALE, Wash. — First responders were dispatched to a residence in the 1500 block of Harksell Road in Ferndale about 7:15pm on Saturday, June 8th, due to a report of someone inside with a gunshot wound.
According to an affidavit of probable cause submitted in Whatcom County Superior Court, a man at the residence had called What-COMM 911 to report he had shot his wife. About 10 minutes later, the victim called to confirm being shot and reported her husband had left in a vehicle.
According to information provided to Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office detectives, the husband had earlier appeared agitated and commented about getting “a divorce or a .357,” referring to a gun. He came up to her sometime after and pointed a gun at her. She told him she did not care, turned and walked away. He came up next to her and fired a round that struck her in the thigh.
The husband then made the call to 911, put the gun away and left in a white Honda Fit car. Detailed descriptions of the husband, identified as Robert Earl Manly, age 55, and the Honda were broadcast to local law enforcement.
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The victim was transported to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center for treatment of her wound.
About 11pm, a WCSO deputy came upon the Honda and attempted a traffic stop while westbound on W Axton Road. The Honda got on northbound I-5 and then came to a sudden stop, nearly colliding with the deputy, and then exited at Portal Way.
The Honda continued northbound on Portal Way and turned east onto Grandview Road where a successful PIT maneuver stopped it. Manly was not immediately compliant with deputies’ requests to exit the Honda. He suffered injuries and was transported to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center to be assessed prior to being booked into the Whatcom County Jail.
A warrant was received for an involuntary blood draw to determine Manly’s blood alcohol level. While on a hospital gurney awaiting the blood draw, Manly is reported to have kicked a deputy in the chest.
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Manly was ultimately arrested and booked into the Whatcom County Jail the next morning about 3:40am. He now faces the following charges in Superior Court.
- felony 1st-degree assault with a deadly weapon
- felony 3rd-degree assault on a law enforcement officer
- gross misdemeanor driving under the influence
- gross misdemeanor 4th-degree assault
A preliminary hearing was held on June 10th where prosecutors asked for bail to be set at $500,000. The defense countered with a request at $50,000. The court set bail at $250,000.
As of June 14th, Manly remained in custody at the Whatcom County Jail. His arraignment is set for June 21st.
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