Crime

Police arrest man accused of firing stolen handgun at group of people in downtown Bellingham

Man arrested after downtown shooting in Bellingham on Dec. 15 2023.
Man arrested after downtown shooting in Bellingham on Dec. 15 2023. Getty Images/iStockphoto

A man has been arrested for assault following a fight Friday in downtown Bellingham.

The police investigation alleges Ty J. Brote, 24, took another person’s handgun and fired it in the direction of a group of people. The incident occurred around 11:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 on West Magnolia.

No injuries were reported as a result of the shooting, and while some of within the crowd fled before police arrived, those who remained had injuries consistent with a fistfight. They all declined treatment, according to Megan Peters with the Bellingham Police Department.

Police say they found a bag of an unidentified controlled substance on Brote when he was arrested.

Probable cause was developed for first-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, theft of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, and identity theft (he reportedly gave police a false name when he was first interviewed).

This story was originally published December 19, 2023 at 11:50 AM.

Jack Belcher
The Bellingham Herald
Jack Belcher covers transportation and recreation for The Bellingham Herald. He graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in digital journalism in 2020 and joined the staff in September 2022. Belcher resides in Bellingham.
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