Authorities say no-contact order violations led to seven-hour standoff, Blaine man’s arrest

Whatcom County deputies arrested a Blaine man at his residence following a seven-hour standoff with law enforcement officers Friday afternoon.

Tristen Alexander, 35, violated a no-contact order with another individual when he forced himself into a Blaine residence and physically assaulted them July 29, according to a news release from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim was able to escape the assault and fled in a vehicle to a nearby gas station but was followed by Alexander, who pulled in front with his vehicle, blocking the road. When Alexander approached the other vehicle, the victim drove away in reverse.

The incident was reported to the sheriff’s office Aug. 2. Deputies obtained probable cause to charge Alexander with multiple offenses, and attempted to contact him at his Blaine residence Friday, Aug. 9.

The standoff began around 8 a.m. Friday. A search warrant was authorized after Alexander did not initially communicate with the deputies. SWAT and crisis negotiators were deployed due to the severity of the charges and because authorities suspected he had access to firearms.

Law enforcement used less-than-lethal and chemical munitions to stun Alexander near the end of the standoff, and he was found hiding inside the residence. He was taken into custody and treated for minor injuries.

Alexander was arrested on suspicion of nine domestic violence charges: first-degree burglary domestic violence, felony order violation, felony harassment, assault third degree, stalking, reckless endangerment, disclosing intimate images, tampering with a witness and unlawful imprisonment.

Alexander was arrested May 30 by the Blaine Police Department for allegedly sending a threatening photo to the victim. Following his July 22 release from jail, a no-contact order was issued. The victim told police Alexander repeatedly violated the order, including sending texts and sightings of Alexander’s vehicle near the victim’s home and workplace.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges against Alexander are pending.

Multiple agencies assisted in the operation, including the Blaine Police Department, Bellingham Police Department and Lynden Police Department. Homeland Security Investigations provided tactical robots.

Resources

▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org

Brigid Collins Family Support Center professionals are on-call between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, to answer questions about children, families, abuse prevention or treatment at (360) 734-4616.

▪ Child Protective Services: Washington state hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect, 866-829-2153.

▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.

▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.

▪ Tl’ils Ta’á’altha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program/

▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.

▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.

If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and make a report to law enforcement.

To report child abuse or neglect call 1-866-END HARM.