Suspect arrested on suspicion of murder argued with neighbor before shooting, sheriff says

This story has been updated since first published.

A 76-year-old Blaine man was in custody after his arrest Wednesday night on suspicion of first-degree murder in the death of his neighbor over an apparent noise dispute.

Sheriff’s deputies booked Wayne Harold Mahar Sr. into the Whatcom County Jail shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday, according to online records.

Officials were not disclosing the victim’s identity until his relatives could be notified, according to a statement issued about 3:30 p.m. Thursday by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.

Mahar allegedly shot and killed his neighbor, according to the statement.

“Deputies located the victim lying face down in his driveway and immediately began CPR. Those efforts were unsuccessful. Bellingham Police Department responded and assisted with the crime scene investigation,” Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Deb Slater said in the statement.

Sheriff’s detectives said Mahar had threatened to kill the victim, alleging that he was throwing rocks at Mahar’s house and making noise.

“A neighbor of Mr. Mahar’s, who reported the shooting to 911, came outside after hearing the shot and witnessed Mr. Mahar standing on his front porch holding a gun. She noticed the victim lying face down on the ground in front of his residence. She asked Mr. Mahar if he had shot the victim. He replied, “Yeah,’ ” Slater said.

Detectives said Mahar claimed there was animosity between the two men and that the victim “deserved to be dead,” Slater said.

According to law enforcement radio conversations archived online, a man was shot in a dispute between neighbors in a Blaine mobile home park about 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Dispatchers told responding officers that the victim was face down on the ground outside his trailer, and that the suspect and his wife had returned to their trailer.

They agreed to come outside without the firearm used in the shooting, according to radio reports.

Court appearance

Mahar, who has not yet been formally charged, made his first appearance in Whatcom County Superior Court on Thursday afternoon.

Whatcom County senior deputy prosecuting attorney David Graham requested the court set Mahar’s bail at $2 million.

Graham said that Mahar had threatened the victim at least twice prior to the shooting — once in November and once the day before the shooting.

Mahar also has a few arrests from out of state from many years ago, Graham said.

“The state is very concerned about the seriousness of the incident and the defendant’s actions,” Graham said.

Whatcom County public defense attorney Kayla Wolfe, who appeared with Mahar for purposes of his first appearance, reserved on making an argument regarding probable cause and bail until a later date.

Prior to setting bail, Whatcom County Court Commissioner Ann Vetter-Hansen admonished a woman sitting in the courtroom, telling her to “maintain stillness” and to be quiet. The woman had been making noises and statements throughout Mahar’s court appearance.

Vetter-Hansen then set Mahar’s bail at $2 million.

As part of his release conditions, Mahar will not be allowed to possess weapons or consume any intoxicants.

His arraignment has been set for Oct. 13.

This story was originally published October 5, 2023 at 8:58 AM.