A 63-year-old Birch Bay man is in custody at the Whatcom County Jail following a Monday evening shooting that injured two people, including a 2-year-old child, at a residence in the 4900 block of Highland Drive. Anthony Palomba faces two counts of attempted murder, felony harassment, reckless endangerment, and carrying a firearm. He is being held without bail after pleading not guilty Tuesday afternoon.
What Happened Monday Evening
According to the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 7:45 p.m. on August 10 after multiple callers reported hearing gunshots and seeing a neighbor run from a house carrying a baby. Dispatchers received additional reports of two victims with gunshot wounds in the Birch Bay residential area.
When deputies arrived within minutes, they located an adult victim and a 2-year-old child at a nearby residence, both suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, where they were admitted for treatment.
The adult victim told deputies that Palomba, who was known to the victims, had shot them. According to the sheriff's office, Palomba and the adult victim had argued verbally earlier in the day. Later that evening, Palomba armed himself with a pistol and pointed it at the victim. The victim grabbed the child and ran out of the residence. Palomba then fired shots as they fled, striking both the adult and the toddler.
After the shooting, Palomba remained at the scene and also pointed the firearm at one of three other adults present in the residence at the time. When deputies arrived and surrounded Palomba as he attempted to flee, they were able to de-escalate the situation and take him into custody without incident. A pistol was observed on the passenger seat of Palomba's vehicle.
Evidence and Charges
Investigators executed multiple search warrants following the arrest. The pistol was seized from the vehicle, and detectives collected additional items of evidentiary value from the residence, including a fired bullet that had entered the living room where two other residents were sitting at the time of the shooting. The fact that the bullet reached an occupied interior space underscored the potential for additional casualties.
Whatcom County prosecutors charged Palomba with two counts of attempted murder in the first degree, a class A felony under Washington state law that carries a potential sentence of life in prison. He also faces one count of second-degree assault and felony harassment with a domestic violence designation. At his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon, prosecutors successfully argued that Palomba be held without bail. His public defender did not contest the no-bail request.
Prosecutors additionally filed an order requiring Palomba to surrender any additional firearms he may possess, citing the victims' belief that more weapons may be inside the residence. The commissioner approved the request, authorizing law enforcement to seize any weapons belonging to Palomba. A status hearing is scheduled for a later date.
Community Response and What Comes Next
Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell "Tank" Tanksley issued a statement following the arrest. "An incident involving an alleged attempt to take another's life is deeply troubling and understandably shakes our community," Tanksley said. "I appreciate our deputies' quick response and successful de-escalation. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families."
The case involves a domestic violence designation, which under Washington state law triggers additional protections for victims, including mandatory no-contact orders and enhanced conditions of release. Palomba's next court date will allow both sides to update the court on the status of evidence and any pending motions.
Birch Bay, a community of roughly 10,000 residents along the shore of Birch Bay about 20 miles north of Bellingham, is primarily residential. The shooting on Highland Drive rattled neighbors who reported hearing the shots and watching the chaotic scene unfold from nearby homes. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information is encouraged to contact the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office at 360-676-6911.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the Northwest Youth Services and local domestic violence resources are available in Whatcom County, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233 any time of day or night.
