Two drive-by shootings in Bellingham Sunday night likely were not related, police say
Two drive-by shootings were reported in Bellingham on Sunday night. They were committed by individuals in similar vehicles around two hours apart but do not appear to be related, according to Bellingham Police.
The first incident occurred around 6:23 p.m. at 2478 McKenzie Ave. Police responded to reports of a collision with shots fired. By the time police arrived on scene both vehicles were gone. Police had limited information but did get a description of one of the vehicles as a 1990s white, two-door Honda Civic with dark/low profile rims and bright blue lights. The car reportedly left the scene at a high rate of speed.
The second incident happened around 8:28 p.m. at 3710 Meridian St. Police responded to a report of shots fired at the location. When police arrived they started interviewing a witness but were interrupted by a man who “essentially” admitted to the crime, Megan Peters with BPD told The Bellingham Herald. The witness police were interviewing at the time confirmed that this man, 29-year-old Roberto Briones IV, was telling the truth, and that he had fired a gun.
Police say Briones was intoxicated during the interview, and evidence was established to arrest him for driving while intoxicated.
The investigation so far has determined that Briones had driven up to the scene in a white Honda Civic and started shooting at two parked vehicles with a shotgun. He then used the shotgun as a melee weapon and hit the vehicles some more. Both vehicles were associated to Briones, although police did not elaborate on how. Police did say that Briones was in a verbal domestic dispute at the time of the shooting. He was also arrested for drive-by shooting.
Despite Briones having a very similar vehicle to the first incident, police do not believe the two incidents are related, although police did not elaborate on the reasoning for this belief. Briones remains in custody at Whatcom County Jail.
It is possible the suspects for the first incident are still at large. The investigation is ongoing.
This story was originally published November 27, 2023 at 10:00 AM.
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