Bellingham resident shot multiple times bringing groceries into apartment; suspect in custody
A Bellingham resident is in critical condition after being shot multiple times while bringing groceries into an apartment, according to Megan Peters with the Bellingham Police Department.
Police were called to the 500 block of Sterling Drive around 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 following reports of gunshots and an injured person. When police arrived they found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds and applied medical aid prior to taking the victim to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham.
Surveillance footage obtained from the apartment complex reportedly shows the victim carrying groceries to the apartment and then collapsing. The footage then shows multiple muzzle flashes, implying the victim was shot multiple times while attempting to crawl away, Peters said.
Police arrested Alexis Molina, 19, on suspicion of attempted murder after finding a gun in a safe in his apartment that is the same caliber of the weapon used in the shooting. Molina shares the apartment with the victim. According to court documents, police also found a P80 die kit that can be used to manufacture a ghost gun with no serial number, making it untraceable. The gun that was found in the safe in Molina’s apartment was a Glock-style 9mm “ghost gun.”
Eight 9mm shell casings were found outside where the victim was shot, according to court documents.
Molina has since been charged with first-degree premeditated murder and first-degree assault with a deadly weapon, both class A felonies.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of first-degree attempted murder-domestic violence. He remains in custody at Whatcom County Jail and was scheduled to have a bail hearing Friday afternoon. He had not yet been charged as of Friday afternoon.
The investigation of the shooting and other recent incidents of shots being fired in the area continues. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Det. Mitchelson or Det. Hauri at 360-778-8611. Tips can also be submitted online at www.cob.org/tips.
Editor’s note (Dec. 2): This article has been updated to include charges and the suspect’s name.
This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 3:29 PM.
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