One Dead, Two Jailed After Mount Vernon Shooting

MOUNT VERNON, WA – A 22-year-old man was killed and two men who are believed to have been with the man when he was shot were arrested by Mount Vernon Police after a reported shooting late Sunday night in the 300 block of East Section Street.

Police received a call at 10:48 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 from a 29-year-old man who stated that he had been near the street testing a wireless signal booster for his computer when he noticed a black Chevy Cavalier, with three occupants, was driving by slowly.

The man said that he noticed the car went around the block, again drove past him slowly before stopping at the end of the block, where one of the passengers allegedly got out of the vehicle and began walking toward the man, carrying what appeared to be a shotgun, while the car was moving slowly next to him.

The 29-year-old said he was concerned about the intentions of those approaching him and shouted at them to stay away, but they continued toward him. He said he feared for his safety, drew a handgun and fired at the individual who was walking, whom he said turned and ran to the car, which sped away.

About 20 minutes after receiving that report, police were called to the 1500 block of West Street., about half a mile from where the shooting was reported. Police found a 22-year-old Mount Vernon man who lived at the house had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. He later died at Skagit Valley Hospital.

After receiving what they described as a good description of the vehicle the three individuals were reported to have been in, Mount Vernon Police Detectives cross-checked the description in their data base and found several possible addresses for the vehicle.  One of those addresses, in the 1700 block of South 6th Street. was being checked when an officer spotted the suspect vehicle and subsequently arrested the two occupants, an 18-year-old and a 27-year old man.

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Information gained so far indicate the two men in the vehicle were with the 22-year-old found on West Street when the shooting occurred. The 22-year-old was then driven back to his residence on West Street by the other two.

Investigators served a search warrant on the West Street residence where a shotgun was recovered. They also closed the 300 Block of E. Section Street for about six hours while they processed and documented the shooting scene. Mount Vernon Detectives were assisted by investigators from the Washington State Patrol who provided specialized scene mapping and diagramming tools.

The resident who fired the weapon possessed a concealed pistol license and was cooperative with police. The 27-year-old Mount Vernon man, who was in the car, has been booked into Skagit County Jail for Investigation of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. The Skagit County Prosecutor will review all facts in this case and make final charging decisions.

Mount Vernon Police sincerely appreciate all the residents who came out and assisted us in achieving such a quick resolution in this case. Your actions speak to the character and value of neighbors helping neighbors to make our community safe.