Shots fired in Frontier Heights neighborhood

L.S. police nab suspects in drive-by shooting

BY AMY CODISPOTI | JOURNAL REPORTER Lake Stevens Police suspect drugs were involved in a drive-by shooting Jan. 30 at 11p.m. on the 8900 block of 11th St NE in the Frontier Village area.

An officer, who was patrolling the Frontier Heights neighborhood, heard the shots. Moments later he was dispatched by a call with other Lake Stevens officers.

“There were up to seven shots fired,” said Police Chief Randy Celori. “Two cars and a building were damaged, but no injuries were reported.”
Witnesses told officers the four suspects, all male, had fled the scene in a silver Honda.

“The vehicle was located in Everett, where the suspects were from, in about 20 minutes,” Celori said. “All four males were taken into custody.”
The suspects were processed at the Lake Stevens Police Department where witnesses identified the men.

All four individuals have been booked into the Snohomish County Jail on charges of reckless endangerment and drive-by shooting.

“Our investigation is ongoing,” Celori said. “We’ve seized the car and are conducting a search for weapons.”

The car was not owned by any of the suspects, but was borrowed from one of their friends, Celori added.

For area residents, the experience has been an unsettling surprise.
Keishia Odom, 15, moved here with her family from Renton just three weeks ago. On the night of the incident, she was out walking her dogs when she heard the gunfire.

“This is not something I’d expect to happen here. In Seattle or Renton, yes, but not here.” she said. “It was very scary.”

Odom is feeling a bit more cautious these days.

“There have been more police out patrolling this area, which makes me feel a little better,” she said.

Gunfire in a neighborhood is troubling, whether or not there were injuries, Celori said.

While the crime rate in Lake Stevens hasn’t increased, the city statistics are “going through the roof” with the inclusion of the newly annexed area, Celori said.

“Because now it’s the city police – not the county – who respond to the calls in the newly annexed area.”

This, Celori said, is ultimately a good thing and provides for a quicker response time.

“Our officers are already in the area and have more time to be proactive and look for the bad guys,” he said.

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