BELLINGHAM, WA. – (KGMI.com) The suspect in the murder of Henry King claims he shot in self-defense, while police say evidence suggests otherwise.
The police probable cause affidavit states that the suspect, Elijah Belmont, told police he decided to walk on Taylor Dock in Bellingham after a night of drinking on March 12th.
He told investigators he brought his gun as he would never go to a park unarmed at night because of the large homeless population.
Belmont said he was startled by King, who was laying on a bench and began making noises at him.
It led to a physical altercation where Belmont claimed King tried to punch him before each man pulled a knife.
Belmont said he then pulled his handgun and ordered King to stop and when he did not, Belmont shot him twice in the stomach and twice in the chest.
He said King then jumped over the railing and into the water with the knife.
Bellingham Police say Belmont’s story contradicts the forensic evidence, which suggests that King was shot while moving away from his assailant.
It also showed that King had a stab wound in his lower back and was shot in the thigh and neck, contrary to Belmont’s claims.
Police say a dive team did not find a knife at the scene.
The police affidavit states that cellphone data was the primary evidence that led investigators to Belmont.
Google and AT&T provided data that showed Belmont’s phone traveled from Marysville to Bellingham during the afternoon before King’s murder.
It was the only device that was active in the Boulevard Park area during the time witnesses reported hearing gunshots.
A search warrant served at the Marysville home Belmont shared with his mother produced a handgun with ammunition that matched shell casings found at the scene.
Detectives also found a folding knife with traces of blood on it and traces of blood in Belmont’s truck.
Bellingham Police say they’ve previously had contact with Belmont, but his lawyer tells KGMI that Belmont “has no criminal history” and has cooperated with the investigation.
He faces a first-degree murder charge and remains in the Whatcom County Jail on $1.5 million bail.
