Upset by his girlfriend’s arrest, Bellingham man allegedly threatens to kill officers
A Bellingham man who claims to have military combat experience and access to two AK-47s and one AR-15 reportedly made threats to kill police officers and corrections deputies after his girlfriend was arrested earlier in the day.
Bellingham police arrested Leo Paul Harron, 35, into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of felony harassment and obstruction Wednesday evening, April 29.
Harron’s girlfriend was arrested earlier Wednesday, according to information provided by Lt. Claudia Murphy in an email to The Bellingham Herald, and Harron “was not pleased with that outcome,” calling 911 and making threats to injure officers
A shift supervisor called Harron to discus the threatening call, Murphy said, and several times Harron made specific threats to kill the supervisor and other officers to get his girlfriend released from jail. Harron also reportedly claimed to have military combat experience and access to two AK-47s, an AR-15 and an unspecified “full auto,” Murphy said.
The shift supervisor felt concern that Harron would cause injury to him, other Bellingham police officers and Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Corrections deputies, Murphy said, and the supervisor spoke to an acquaintance of Harron’s to have Harron safely surrender to police.
Acquaintances drove Harron to a prearranged location, Murphy said, but when Harron stepped out of the car, he refused to comply with officer’s commands. Officers fired a bean bag at Harron, but Murphy said Harron tried to run away.
After a short foot chase and the firing of additional bean bags, Murphy said officers were able to arrest Harron, though he reportedly remained belligerent during the ride to jail and with corrections deputies during the booking process.
