Press Release: Police Search Related To Recent Weapon Offenses

MOUNT VERNON:  The Mount Vernon Police Department released a press memo on the Investigation on South 27th Street in Mount Vernon. Details of the press release are below:

On July 30, 2015 at approximately 8:00am, investigators from the Mount Vernon Police Department, Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation served a search warrant at 1000 S. 27th Street in Mount Vernon as part of an on-going investigation into shootings that occurred July 25, 2015. (See following pages)

 

Mount Vernon Police Tactical Team conducted the initial warrant service to make sure the area and home were safe and secure to complete the searches. Approximately 20 investigators then searched the interior and exterior of the home pursuant to a court ordered search warrant. The large number of investigators was necessary due to the nature of the crime being investigated and history with this residence.

When officers entered the home, they found Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Jr. (21/yoa) in the company of a person he was court ordered to have no contact with. Rodriguez was arrested and booked into Skagit County Jail for violating the court order. Investigators contacted the Skagit County Prosecutor’s Office about this arrest and learned the violation may adversely affect a pending criminal case unrelated to the shooting investigation.

 

Investigators recovered a hand gun and shell casings from the property. These items will be sent to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab for analysis and comparison to evidence collected at the shooting crime scenes.

MVPD Animal Control temporarily took a Pit-bull and two smaller dogs into custody so searches could occur where they were being kept. Animal Control is reviewing prior investigations involving the Pit-bull due to lack of required animal license and whether the dog could legally have been kept at the property.

The investigation into the shootings continues. Police encourage anyone with information that may help bring justice for those victims who have had to live through these terrifying events to contact please us at:

(360) 428-3211 24-hour

(360) 336-0632 Anonymous Tip Line Crime Tips www.mountvernonwa.gov/crimetip

E-mail mvpolice@mountvernonwa.gov

Lt. Chris Cammock

 

First Incident – News Release

Police Investigate Shooting Incident

July 25, 2015

15-M12068

At around 11:15pm on July 24, 2015, Mount Vernon Police responded to a report of gunshots in the 900 Block of South 27th Street in Mount Vernon. Officers contacted a 46-year-old man who lived nearby who had been outside his home when a car drove by and the sound of gun shots were heard coming from the vehicle. Bullet casings and trajectory from recovered rounds indicate the man may have been armed and returned fire in the direction of the vehicle. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Police located the suspect vehicle, a light colored Lincoln, several hours later abandoned in the 2300 Block of East Section which is 3-4 blocks from where the shooting occurred. The car had been reported stolen out of Moses Lake this past month.

Investigators spent several hours combing the street and neighboring yards for evidence. Two nearby homes that were occupied at the time were damaged by bullets. The collected bullet casings and expended rounds will be sent to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab for analysis next week.

The suspect vehicle was impounded and investigators plan to ask the WSP Crime Lab Team to process it for any additional evidence. The Detectives working this case are also assisting WSP Investigators with last week’s double homicide on I-5. Both cases will be reviewed to see if they are connected in anyway.

Fears for individual and community safety are expected when incidents like this occur. It’s important we don’t let the actions of a few and the anxiety it generates, prevent us from holding them accountable.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact us at:

(360) 428-3211 24-hour

(360) 336-0632 Anonymous Tip Line Crime Tips www.mountvernonwa.gov/crimetip

 

Second Incident – New Release

Weapon Offense Investigation

July 25, 2015

15-M12120

On July 25, 2015 at approximately 5:12pm, a KOMO 4 News reporter and photographer were preparing for an on camera interview on S. 27th Street, MV when two vehicles sped past their location southbound. As the vehicles made the turn from onto Section Street, the reporters heard shots coming from where the vehicles were last seen.

No one was hurt during the incident but police did find a home in the 2700 Block of East Section that had bullet damage. Investigators collected several bullet casings from the roadway. Based on information gathered so far, investigators do not believe the home was the target of the shooting.

KOMO 4 News was able to capture the two vehicles as the sped by:

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact us at:

(360) 428-3211 24-hour

(360) 336-0632 Anonymous

Tip Line Crime Tips www.mountvernonwa.gov/crimetip

E-mail mvpolice@mountvernonwa.gov