Gun, 1,000 fentanyl pills reportedly found on Bellingham man suspected in downtown assault
While arresting a man suspected in an assault outside 22 North apartment building that required the victim be taken to hospital, Bellingham Police reportedly found he had a loaded handgun and more than 1,000 fake oxycodone pills believed to contain fentanyl.
Rene Pema Drimay Nima, 22, was booked into Whatcom County Jail Sunday, July 17, on suspicion of second-degree assault, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of a firearm. Jail records show Nima is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Officers were called at 12:33 p.m. Saturday, July 17, to the 1000 block of North State Street, according to the department’s incident log, for the report of an assault that had occurred near 22 North — an apartment for young adults experiencing homelessness operated by the Opportunity Council and Northwest Youth Services.
Officers located and spoke to the victim at a nearby bus stop, Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Bellingham Herald in an email Tuesday night, July 19.
The victim reported he was speaking to another person, when a different group of men told him to be quiet, Murphy reported. The victim reported yelling back at the men, who then began to assault him.
The victim identified one of the men by nickname and said he was wearing brass knuckles at the time, according to Murphy. Officers contacted employees at 22 North, and they identified the man known by the nickname the victim had given as Nima, Murphy reported.
Nima is a resident at 22 North, according to the incident log.
The victim suffered two severe lacerations to his face and bloodied knees in the assault, Murphy reported, and Bellingham Fire Department medics took him to St. Joseph’s hospital for treatment, including stitches.
Police produced a photo lineup, and the victim was able to identify Nima as one of the people who assaulted him, according to Murphy.
Nima was not located at that time, Murphy reported, but officers patrolling the area of 22 North on Sunday spotted Nima on the south side of the building with several other people and arrested him without incident.
During a search of Nima, police found a Glock P80 with a loaded magazine, bags containing more than 1,000 suspected fentanyl pills, fentanyl transdermal patches and $2,912 in cash, according to Murphy.
Whatcom County Superior Court records show Nima has previous convictions for theft, unlawful firearm possession, taking a motor vehicle without permission, possession of stolen property, burglary and malicious mischief.
This story was originally published July 20, 2022 at 9:30 AM.
