Woman at family BBQ for Father's Day shot, killed by stray bullet

FERNDALE --  A 23-year-old Bellingham woman who was struck by a stray bullet while barbecuing with her father died Monday from her injuries.

The woman, who was outside celebrating Father's Day with family at the time of the incident, was struck by a bullet that police estimate was fired from more than half a mile away. She was hit in the chest and transported to St. Joseph's Hospital.

The incident took place in the 6100 block of Gadwa Road in Ferndale.

The woman's father called 911 and reported hearing shots being fired overhead. When police arrived, they heard gunshots coming from the opposite river bank along the Nooksack River.

Police followed the sound of the gunshots and located and detained five people as they were walking away from the river. They are believed to have been target shooting along the river and two men were arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm; both are convicted felons and not allowed to be in possession of firearms.

The Whatcom C0unty Sheriff's Office said there was no previous contact between the victim and the men arrested.