Police: Gun malfunctions when Everett man tries to shoot worker

EVERETT — A confrontation in a Snohomish driveway between two strangers could have ended in fatal gunfire Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

Snohomish police believe an Everett man tried to shoot a man but the handgun malfunctioned.

“This easily could have been a homicide,” Snohomish Police Chief John Flood said.

The incident occurred shortly after 3 p.m. in the 2200 block of Lake Avenue. A worker was helping a homeowner with repairs on a duplex.

They parked a truck in the duplex’s private driveway.

Shortly afterward, a man approached the worker and asked him to move a truck so he could get by. The stranger’s vehicle was parked in the back of the property, but there was no good reason for him to be there, Flood said.

The worker asked the man to provide his name and told him he would move his truck when he was done unloading.

That’s when the man allegedly pulled out a silver handgun and told the worker that he “better move it now.”

The worker ran to the duplex and told the owner to call 911. The man making the threat then used a silver Volkswagen hatchback to try to push the truck out of the way. When it didn’t budge, he got into the truck to take it out of gear.

The worker confronted the man. That’s when the suspect allegedly pointed the handgun at him and pulled the trigger, according to a police report.

The worker told police he was “scared to death,” according to a police report.

“He heard the gun go click,” Flood said.

The gun failed to discharge and the suspect struck the worker with it, leaving a long, narrow cut on his arm.

The worker and homeowner tried to restrain the man, but he got away and pointed the gun at the worker for a third time. He “chambered another round” and threatened again to shoot the worker, the police report said.

A short time later, Chief Flood spotted the suspect’s VW on Second Street under the Highway 9 overpass. He stopped the driver.

A bullet was found next to the car and was collected as evidence. Police on Wednesday were seeking a search warrant for the car.

The suspect was arrested for investigation of first-degree assault and was booked into the Snohomish County Jail. The Everett man, 26, was being held on $50,000 bail Wednesday.

A second man also was believed to be on the property, but apparently hid and didn’t take part in the confrontation, Flood said.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.