UPDATED: Law enforcement incident closes Guide Meridian (SR539)

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement about 1:30pm on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

TRAFFIC ALERT: All lanes are blocked on the Guide Meridian just south of Axton Rd. due to an incident. Please avoid the area.
– Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (February 11, 2025)

Emergency services radio transmissions indicate that multiple law enforcement agencies are involved in handling traffic around an incident. It was reported that northbound traffic was being diverted at Guide Meridian and Smith Road and southbound traffic at Guide Meridian and Axton Road.

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The incident reportedly began as a criminal traffic stop and evolved into a call for emergency medical services due to a victim with a gunshot wound.

According to WSDOT traffic cameras, the northbound lanes appeared to have been reopened before 2pm.

About 6pm, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office issued a detailed statement regarding the incident.

On Tuesday, Feb. 11 around 1:00 p.m., deputies responded to assist Lynden Police Department (LPD) after a suspect brandished a firearm in the 8000 block of Guide Meridian and fled the scene. The suspect was located and pulled over by deputies near the intersection of Guide Meridian and Axton Rd. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
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Following the arrest there was an accidental discharge involving the recovered firearm, the circumstances of which are still under investigation. A deputy sustained a non-life-threatening injury from the discharge, remained conscious and was transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center for treatment. They have been treated and released.
The suspect, 52-year-old Wayne Moses of Blaine, was taken into custody by LPD on probable cause for their investigation and will be booked into the Whatcom County Jail for Assault 2nd and Malicious Mischief 3rd and Theft 3rd.
The WCSO has requested the Bellingham Police Department to investigate the accidental discharge. This is an active investigation. No other information will be released at this time.
– Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (February 11, 2025)