News

Suspects in gang-related shooting make first court appearance

Suspects in gang-related shooting make first court appearance

Court documents for Whatcom County Superior Court. Photo: Saga Communications/Emma Toscani


WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Two suspects accused of causing a gang-related shootout in Birch Bay made their first appearances in court.

Court documents state that the two suspects pled not guilty following their arraignments Tuesday, Sept. 8 in Whatcom County Superior Court.

Surveillance footage showed one of the suspects, 54-year-old William Huskey, approaching a business on Birch Bay Drive just before the shooting.

Huskey told investigators that he was approached by members of a rival motorcycle gang, who demanded he remove his own affiliation patches from his jacket. An argument ensued, leading Huskey to pull out a gun and fire towards the opposing group.

One person was struck in the foot and taken to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center.

The second suspect, identified as 31-year-old Roman Mayne De Isla Puga, was seen on camera running towards his bike, grabbing a gun and returning fire towards Huskey. When Mayne De Isla Puga was pulled over, he denied all involvement or knowledge of the shooting.

Both men remain at the Whatcom County Jail on $1 million bail each.

Recent Headlines

15 hours ago in Sports

Coco Gauff rallies to reach the US Open semifinals against new women’s No. 1 Elena Rybakina

Coco Gauff fought off a couple match points in a tiebreaker and beat Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 on Wednesday to set up a U.S. Open semifinal matchup against new No. 1 Elena Rybakina.

23 hours ago in Sports

Alcaraz says ‘I leave with a smile’ after epic US Open loss to Shelton

At the end, when five riveting sets and one agonizingly tight tiebreak were over — and when the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history had concluded — Ben Shelton was not the only player smiling.

2 days ago in Sports

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani returns to lineup after 4-day break but won’t pitch again this season

Shohei Ohtani went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts and a walk in his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup Monday night after a four-day break to deal with lingering left knee and right biceps soreness. The two-way superstar isn't expected to pitch again this season.

2 days ago in Sports

Breanna Stewart embraces pressure on US as new faces chase a fifth straight World Cup

Breanna Stewart knows exactly how much pressure the U.S. team is under to keep its World Cup title streak going. The Americans have won four straight women's FIBA World Cup championships and she's been a part of the last three.

6 days ago in Sports

Eala, Osaka and Zverev advance, while No. 3 Auger-Aliassime falls at the US Open

Alex Eala and her fans are headed to the weekend at the U.S. Open, along with two-time champion Naomi Osaka and 2023 winner Coco Gauff. So are Madison Keys and men's top seed Alexander Zverev — just barely — but not No. 3 Felix Auger-Aliassime, who became the highest-seeded player knocked out of the tournament thus far.