Arrests Made As Everett Police See Rise In Gang Activity Over Last Year

Last week Everett Police made multiple felony arrests on who they say are confirmed gang members in Everett, Washington. A review of probable cause paperwork filed by arresting officers shows.

1). A confirmed Wet Back Pride (WBP) gang member with recent multiple unlawful possession of a firearm arrests was taken into custody for drive by shooting and felony unlawful possession of a firearm. A Judge found probable cause to hold him on half a million dollars bond in connection with a gun battle last Monday (April 19th) that began at a south Everett apartment complex and continued down 7th Ave SE to 112th near Silver Lake. There were reports of multiple shots fired into the car of a suspected Desmadrosos (DSM, also known as Don’t Stop Mobb’in) gang member. A person was reportedly firing shots out of the passenger side of that car back toward the person arrested. Parts of the gunfire were caught on video by an Everett Transit bus. This occurred at 4:30 in the afternoon. One of the Everett Gang Response Unit Detectives asked for high bail writing, “I believe this shooting will likely have retribution possible resulting in more shootings between the two rival gangs.” At last review the adult male suspect is still in the Snohomish County Jail.

2). Last week a reported Florencia 13 gang member was arrested for driving with a suspended license and while officers were taking him into custody, they saw a handgun in plain view on the driver’s side floorboard of the car he had been driving. An arresting officer wrote that the suspect admitted to knowing the gun was there. The adult male suspect has a previous history of 8 felony convictions including unlawful firearm possession and was arrested and booked into the Snohomish County Jail for 1st degree possession of a firearm. He has since posted bond.

3). In mid-April an Everett Police Gang Response Unit Officer took a report of who he said was a known gang member threatening people by reportedly pointing a firearm with extended magazine at another vehicle while stopped in traffic. The officer wrote in probable cause papers that the victims believed they were about to be shot. The suspect reportedly had been present at a fatal shooting a year ago. The adult male suspect was arrested and booked into the Snohomish County Jail. He has since posted bond.

We asked Everett Police the following and received these answers in response:

1). Is gang activity increasing in the City of Everett and if so do you attribute it to any particular reason?
-According to recent reports (through the end of March 2021), there have been 10 gang related crimes in 2021 – versus 4 during the same time in 2020 and 9 during the same period in 2019. Of the 10 in 2021, 7 were gang-related graffiti incidents. This is an increase over the same timeframe in 2020, but not outside the normal range as fluctuations in reported crimes are expected.

2). If people observe gang activity including drive-by shooting, what do you advise them to do?
-Any suspicious or criminal activity should be reported to 911, whether it is suspected to be gang related or not. If someone observes a shooting incident, they should immediately shelter in place or retreat to a safe location. When safe to do so, they should immediately call 911 to report what they observed, provide information to the responding officers so a thorough investigation can be completed.