MARYSVILLE — June Bug spent the Fourth of July losing his independence — at least for now.
The Everett man, 29, wound up in the Snohomish County Jail after he allegedly lost his temper, knocked a man unconscious, took the victim’s handgun, and racked a round into the chamber.
The incident unfolded at a holiday party in unincorporated Marysville. Guests later told police they scattered, fearing for their lives.
An angry June Bug reportedly said he was “going to shoot this (expletive) up,” according to a police report filed in support of the man’s arrest.
June Bug’s birth name is Matalepuna Junior Malu. His actions, and colorful street nickname, have attracted attention before.
That was particularly true back in 2010, when he was running with a local gang that called itself the Waco Boys.
Two of his associates, Eric “Icky” Lowe and Jeffrey Cleator, were sent to prison for long terms after the fatal shooting of a heroin dealer on W. Casino Road. The gang then was selling OxyContin in the Everett area, according to court papers. The killing reportedly was over the drug dealer selling Malu inferior product.
Malu was arrested in the death, but charges later were dismissed. He wound up being prosecuted federally on weapons charges, receiving a 2.5 year sentence for possession of a stolen .45-caliber handgun. The weapon was found after one of his girlfriends jumped from a second-story window, telling police she was being assaulted.
Malu was on federal probation in 2014 when he again made headlines, this time after he was accused of shooting two men in Seattle. Police went public with their suspicions. He swiftly turned himself in. Malu was never charged in that case. Police determined others were responsible, according to news reports.
In the Fourth of July case, Malu allegedly ran away from the party when police were called. A sheriff’s deputy interviewed witnesses and determined there was cause to arrest Malu for investigation of first-degree robbery (for taking the gun by force), unlawful possession of a firearm and felony harassment.
The deputy recounted how a records check confirmed Malu is a felon with convictions for harassment and weapons offenses. “I was also advised that he was a member of the criminal street gang Waco Boys and had a caution in the system for being assaultive towards law enforcement,” the deputy wrote.
Malu was tracked down using a police dog. He was taken to an area hospital prior to being booked into jail. Late last week, he still was jailed, his bail set at $25,000.
Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snorthnews.
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