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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.

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