Nearby: Bellingham man arrested after drive-by shooting in Blaine

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office released the following news release today, February 22nd.

Deputies respond to Birch Bay shooting
Suspect flees, arrested within hours

On Friday, February 19 at about 5:45 pm, numerous deputies were dispatched to a reported aggravated assault involving a firearm in the 5500 block of Hillvue Rd. in Birch Bay. It was reported a victim had been shot and the suspect had fled the area in a vehicle.

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The investigation found that 35-year-old Martin Siergiey of Bellingham had driven to the victim’s residence, saw the victim standing outside, stopped in the roadway, and shot at the victim multiple times. This first shot missed the 28-year-old male and struck his vehicle. The victim took off running through a neighbor’s yard, over a fence, and into his neighbor’s house. Mr. Siergiey continued to shoot, penetrating the neighbor’s house with two rounds. One bullet struck the victim in the upper right thigh.

He was treated at the scene by Medics and released. He was later advised by his doctor that the bullet had exited out of his thigh. No one else at the scene was injured.

The victim did not know who the suspect was but provided a description of him and his vehicle. The investigation identified a probable suspect who the victim was able to identify from a photo lineup. Deputies, assisted by Bellingham Police Officers, began looking for the suspect in the Bellingham area. After several hours, they were able to make contact with Mr. Siergiey. After some negotiations with deputies, Mr. Siergiey agreed to turn himself in. At 1:00 am on February 20, deputies located Mr. Siergiey on Prospect Street across from the jail. He was taken into custody without incident. The motive for the shooting appears to be that Mr. Siergiey believed that the victim had been involved in a sexual relationship with his wife.

Mr. Siergiey was booked into the Whatcom County Jail for Attempted Murder 1st and Reckless Endangerment-Drive-by Shooting.