Police arrest man accused of firing stolen handgun at group of people in downtown Bellingham

A man has been arrested for assault following a fight Friday in downtown Bellingham.

The police investigation alleges Ty J. Brote, 24, took another person’s handgun and fired it in the direction of a group of people. The incident occurred around 11:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 on West Magnolia.

No injuries were reported as a result of the shooting, and while some of within the crowd fled before police arrived, those who remained had injuries consistent with a fistfight. They all declined treatment, according to Megan Peters with the Bellingham Police Department.

Police say they found a bag of an unidentified controlled substance on Brote when he was arrested.

Probable cause was developed for first-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, theft of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, and identity theft (he reportedly gave police a false name when he was first interviewed).