12-31-2018

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — No one was hurt when a Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputy fired a shot at a fleeing suspect.

Bellingham Police Lieutenant Claudia Murphy says officers were called to a parking lot in the 2600 block of West Maplewood Friday evening with reports of a shirtless man screaming and hitting a vehicle’s windshield.

When officers arrived the man ran into a stranger’s apartment and fled out the back.

A sheriff’s K-9 unit responded and the deputy saw the man running on Northwest Avenue.

He refused commands to stop and reached for his belt.

Thinking he was drawing a weapon the deputy fired one shot.

No one was hit and the man, 35-year-old William David Jefferson, surrendered and was arrested on several charges and two outstanding warrants.

Chief David Doll says, “This serious event is an example of the split-second decisions law enforcement officers face in protecting our community and themselves . . . I am thankful that no one was injured in this dangerous situation.”