Granite Falls man charged in possible failed ambush attempt

Published 12:01 am Saturday, June 18, 2011

GRANITE FALLS — A Granite Falls man was charged Friday with attempted first-degree assault in connection with what police believe was a failed ambush plan last month.

John C. Lapham, 71, reportedly called 911 on May 27 and told dispatchers that he had shot his wife at their home, which is off of the Mountain Loop Highway between Granite Falls and Verlot.

When Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies and Granite Falls police got there, Lapham’s wife came out of the home next door. She told them she had not seen her husband in several hours.

Deputies called for Lapham to come out of the house but got no response.

They found him unconscious at a hidden spot on the deck, deputy prosecutor Ed Stemler said in Snohomish County Superior Court documents filed Friday.

Lapham allegedly had a loaded double-barrel shotgun four inches from his hand, with another loaded shotgun on a table about eight feet away. He was wearing a vest loaded with shotgun ammunition, according to the affidavit.

When deputies woke the man, he appeared to be extremely intoxicated and allegedly told them he was “going to kill the cops” before he died, according to the affidavit. He allegedly told medics that he hated the police and had planned to die that day.

Lapham was taken to a local hospital for an evaluation. It was determined that he was not having a diabetic episode, as initially was suspected. His blood-alcohol content was more than .20, according to the affidavit.

On May 31, he was released from the hospital to a deputy’s custody. He reportedly admitted that he called 911 so officers would come and hopefully end his life, but he passed out before they arrived. He denied trying to conceal himself or wanting to kill police officers.

Lapham was being held Friday at Snohomish County Jail. His bail was set at $500,000.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.