A man who shot his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend three times in 2009 pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted murder Tuesday, June 26.

Noah Wilhelm, 23, shot Kyle Brown in the chest, back and shoulder with a .357 revolver in front of Brown's Bellingham apartment in December 2009.

Wilhelm had met with Brown the week before and told him he didn't want Brown seeing Wilhelm's ex-girlfriend, Samantha Muhlbach, according to court documents. He showed Brown a gun and said there would be repercussions if the two dated. He told Brown he was a hillbilly and that he would get away with anything that needed to be done.

On the day of the shooting, Wilhelm knocked on several doors before finding Brown's Racine Street apartment. Muhlbach was there at the time, and she patted Wilhelm down for weapons before she went to get Brown to come outside. Wilhelm then got his gun out of his car.

When Brown came outside, they talked briefly before Wilhelm pulled out the gun and told Brown to get in the trunk of his car. As Brown tried to back away, Wilhelm shot him three times and then drove off.

He fled to his native Acme Valley, stole a jeep and drove to Nevada, eluding police for 10 days before turning himself in.

His sentencing is set for July 24. His charge includes an enhancement for using a deadly weapon.

Reach ZOE FRALEY at zoe.fraley@bellinghamherald.com or call 756-2803.