Man arrested by Bellingham Police on suspicion of murder late Friday night
Brian Andy Pantoja was arrested late Friday, Oct. 28, on suspicion of murder after a fatal shooting at a Halloween party, according to Bellingham Police.
Pantoja, 22 of Bellingham, and the unnamed 21-year-old victim were at a party in the 500 block of East Myrtle Street Friday when they were involved in an altercation, according to Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy in an email to The Bellingham Herald.
Pantoja allegedly shot the victim in the chest and fled with his friends, Murphy said.
The victim died, despite lifesaving attempts by witnesses and police, according to Murphy.
Pantoja was apprehended several hours later and booked for 1st-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm, Murphy said.
A Western Washington University Campus Advisory email about noon Saturday said neither of the people involved are WWU students, and there is no current threat to campus.
Pantoja was linked to a white Dodge Charger, which officers recognized was involved in a hit-and-run collision earlier in the night, according to a city news release. Officers returned to where the Dodge Charger was last seen and saw it leaving the area. By the time the officer turned his patrol car around, the Dodge fled, Murphy said.
Bellingham officers, with the assistance of deputies of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, found the Dodge Charger in a parking lot in the 1900 block of Alabama Street. Police dogs were used to track away from the car to an apartment.
Pantoja walked out of the apartment to a waiting car where he was taken into custody without incident, police said.
Pantoja is a convicted felon and not permitted to have a firearm.
Pantoja remains in jail as no bail was allowed on the charge.
Whatcom County Superior Court records show Pantoja plead guilty to 2nd-degree robbery in 2020 and plead guilty as a minor to 3rd-degree malicious mischief in 2018 and 4th-degree assault with sexual motivation in 2015.
Police ask anyone with additional information to contact them at 360-778-8611.
This story was originally published October 29, 2022 at 7:39 AM.
