WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — The Bellingham Police Department, in its role with the Independent Investigation Team (LEMART), issued an update today, Friday, May 1, 2026, to an officer-involved fatal shooting that occurred April 26, 2026, in Maple Falls.
New information made available in today’s update included shots were fired by a member of the Ferndale Police Department serving on the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) SWAT team. The officer has been placed on administrative leave per department policy.
During the attempt to take the two into custody shots were fired by a WCSO SWAT officer who is a member of the Ferndale Police Department. Fernandez was struck and died on scene of his injuries. The Ferndale Police officer has been placed on administrative leave, in accordance with their policy. The WCSO SRU is comprised of the Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. The WCSO SWAT Team is multi-jurisdictional with participation from Lynden and Ferndale Police Departments.
– Bellingham Police Department media release update (April 30, 2026)
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According to a statement released April 27, 2026, by Bellingham Police, in the early evening, the WCSO Special Response Unit (SRU) responded to the property to apprehend 2 suspects in an earlier shooting. The SRU consists of the Crisis Negotiations Team and the Special Weapons and Tactics team, which includes members from the Lynden Police Department and Ferndale Police Department.
During the process of taking the suspects into custody, shots were fired. Luis E. Fernandez, 36, died of his injuries at the scene. No law enforcement officers or other individuals were injured. Kayla C. James, 38, was taken into custody and booked into the Whatcom County Jail.
According to Whatcom County Superior Court records, Fernandez had several felony convictions between 2008 and 2025.
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