Police arrest 5 suspected gang members after assaults

EVERETT — Police on Thursday made five arrests involving suspected gang members after a series of assaults in recent months in south Everett.

Some clashes involved baseball bats, knives and at least one hammer, according to court documents.

Police believe the fights pitted local members of rival gangs.

Since January, detectives have tracked increased gang-related graffiti and assaults, primarily in south Everett, officer Aaron Snell said.

“The Everett Police Department has investigated several recent incidences where the suspects are tied to gangs,” Snell said. “We are focusing on a strong approach consisting of awareness, intervention and enforcement.”

Thursday’s arrests included suspects ages 15 to 18. Three were booked into Denny Juvenile Justice Center; the other two were booked into the Snohomish County Jail.

Additional arrests are possible, Snell said.

Police have increased patrols in the affected neighborhoods, including W. Casino Road.

“We have dedicated resources and are working proactively to address criminal activity occurring in these neighborhoods to include increasing our visible patrols and community outreach” said Dan Templeman, deputy chief.

In April, a suspected gang member was assaulted in the 100 block of W. Casino Road. He was taken to the hospital for injuries to his head, body and legs.

Witnesses reported three or four men armed with baseball bats and a hammer struck him repeatedly while he was on the ground trying to protect himself.

Some witnesses and neighbors believe a May 3 shooting at the Horizon Elementary School playground was gang related. Police haven’t confirmed those suspicions.

“That is still under investigation,” Snell said.

The shooting sent a 15-year-old boy to the hospital.

In that case, police were told a small group of teenagers was playing basketball when a group of up to 20 late-teens came to the court. An argument turned physical and the teen who had been playing basketball was shot. Police detained a number of the late teens for questioning.

In addition to making arrests, police are using their code enforcement unit to document and track graffiti and then work with property owners to remove it as soon as possible.

Stopping gang crime is more than an enforcement issue, Snell said.

Part of the strategy is making neighborhoods aware of it and offering steps they can take to protect themselves and find help. Everett officers recently have been taking part in neighborhood meetings to talk about gang activity.

They’re also are working with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office to deal with gang graffiti that appears beyond city limits.

Police are trying to find activities that steer teens toward outreach programs, such as soccer and baseball camps with nominal fees.

“We’ve had tremendous support from the community, particularly those along Casino Road, who have been working for years to create safer neighborhoods in south Everett,” said Templeman.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development

The change faced resistance from some residents, who worried about the effects of more density in the neighborhood.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Former Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy Jeremie Zeller appears in court for sentencing on multiple counts of misdemeanor theft Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ex-sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 1 week of jail time for hardware theft

Jeremie Zeller, 47, stole merchandise from Home Depot in south Everett, where he worked overtime as a security guard.

Everett
11 months later, Lake Stevens man charged in fatal Casino Road shooting

Malik Fulson is accused of shooting Joseph Haderlie to death in the parking lot at the Crystal Springs Apartments last April.

T.J. Peters testifies during the murder trial of Alan Dean at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bothell cold case trial now in jury’s hands

In court this week, the ex-boyfriend of Melissa Lee denied any role in her death. The defendant, Alan Dean, didn’t testify.

A speed camera facing west along 220th Street Southwest on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Washington law will allow traffic cams on more city, county roads

The move, led by a Snohomish County Democrat, comes as roadway deaths in the state have hit historic highs.

Mrs. Hildenbrand runs through a spelling exercise with her first grade class on the classroom’s Boxlight interactive display board funded by a pervious tech levy on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lakewood School District’s new levy pitch: This time, it won’t raise taxes

After two levies failed, the district went back to the drawing board, with one levy that would increase taxes and another that would not.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.