Update: Suspect arrested after Lummi Police officer shot multiple times
The suspect in the shooting of a Lummi Nation Police officer was arrested for attempted murder, authorities announced at a Monday afternoon press conference.
The 26-year-old suspect was arrested near Ferndale just before 2 p.m. Monday, about 13 hours after the shooting took place.
The suspect had previous drug charges and was known to law enforcement, Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell Tanksley said at the press conference. The Bellingham Herald does not typically name suspects until formal charges are filed.
The 37-year-old police officer was shot while checking on the suspect’s vehicle just before 1 a.m. The suspect drove off the road and into a ditch in the 3200 block of North Red River Road, according to authorities.
“Today we were faced with a horrific incident that has deeply affected our entire community,” Tanksley said at the press conference.
When the officer contacted the suspect, he opened fire, hitting the officer multiple times. The officer, who has not yet been publicly identified, was taken for medical treatment and underwent surgery.
The officer is in stable condition, according to Tanksley.
“We will share updates as soon as we are able, but for now we ask for your respect of privacy for the family, for the officer,” Lummi Nation Chairman Tony Hillaire said at the press conference.
“This tragic event is a reminder of the risk that our officers take each and every single day to keep our community safe,” Chairman Hillaire said.
The officer has been with the Lummi Nation Police Department for less than a year, after transferring to the department from another state, Tanksley said at a news conference.
The investigation is ongoing and is being led by the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Response Team (LEMART).
This story was originally published July 28, 2025 at 10:15 AM.
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