Police Response in Columbia, Stolen Guns Recovered, Pier Reopens

Good morning, Bellingham! It’s January 21, 2026.

If your neighborhood felt a little louder than usual this week, your house still smells faintly like holiday snacks, and you are suddenly planning a weekend walk on the pier, you’re in the right place. Today’s Scoop covers a heavy police response that caught a lot of attention, stolen firearms recovered in under 24 hours, a major moment for local girls flag football, the Little Squalicum Pier reopening just in time for a gorgeous stretch of weather, and a world class storyteller coming to Mount Baker Theatre.

It’s one of those very Bellingham mixes of serious updates, community pride, and good reasons to leave the house. Let’s get into it.

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Heavy police presence in Columbia neighborhood leads to arrest on January 16

If you were in the northern end of the Columbia neighborhood on January 16, you may have noticed a large police response that lasted a couple of hours. According to the Bellingham Police Department, officers were searching for a 19-year-old male who ran from police after being contacted near Northwest Avenue and Lynn Street.

Police said they had probable cause to arrest the suspect for violations of no-contact orders and possession of child sexual abuse material. After fleeing, the male ran through alleys and backyards as officers established a perimeter across the Columbia neighborhood.

A police service dog named Rudy and his handler were called in from home to track the suspect. At the same time, pilots from BPD’s Unmanned Aerial System team launched an aircraft to assist in the search. Residents played a key role, calling 9-1-1 as they saw the suspect running and helping officers track his movement.

The suspect was eventually seen entering a home in the 2900 block of Victor Street. Police said the homeowner did not know the suspect and was inside the residence at the time. The male armed himself with two kitchen knives but did not harm the homeowner, who later exited the house safely.

Officers surrounded the home and BPD crisis negotiators began working with both the homeowner and the suspect in an effort to de-escalate the situation. When the suspect became increasingly agitated and refused to cooperate, members of BPD SWAT responded to assist.

After continued negotiations, a single less-lethal flexible baton round was deployed. Police said it had the intended effect, and the suspect surrendered immediately without further incident.

The male was taken for medical attention for a minor injury and then booked into jail on multiple felony charges, including violations of court orders, possession of child sexual abuse material, first-degree burglary, and resisting arrest. BPD crime scene investigators responded once the scene was secure to collect evidence.

Police described the response as a coordinated effort across multiple units to safely take the suspect into custody while protecting the public and the homeowner.

The Bellingham Police Department Facebook Post is → Here ←

Two stolen guns recovered in less than 24 hours by Bellingham Police

Tuesday, January 20 was a busy one for the Blue Team patrol shifts with the Bellingham Police Department starting 2026 at full speed. Officers recovered two stolen firearms from two different suspects in separate cases, all within a 24 hour span.

The first recovery happened early Monday morning, January 19, around 1:51 a.m. Officers contacted a suspicious vehicle in the 100 block of Central Avenue. During the contact, officers observed drug paraphernalia and cash, which led to a drug investigation.

Police said the 18 year old driver was found to be in possession of a stolen firearm, drugs, and a spring blade knife. The firearm had been reported stolen out of Whatcom County Sheriff's Office jurisdiction. The driver was taken to jail on multiple weapons violations, with drug charges pending the results of a search warrant.

Later that same day, at about 10:00 p.m., the same Blue Team officers were back on duty and followed up on a robbery case from January 14. Officers located the 18 year old suspect, developed a plan, and arrested him without incident. Police had probable cause to arrest the suspect for first degree robbery and possession of a stolen firearm.

The stolen gun was recovered at the scene, and the suspect was booked into jail on robbery and stolen firearm charges. Additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.

Police credited the coordinated work of the Blue Team evening and night shift officers for recovering both stolen firearms in less than 24 hours, calling it a strong start to the year and a solid example of proactive patrol work in the community.

A Flag Football Youth Takeover

On January 7, the Seahawks brought the excitement to Bellingham for a Girls Flag Takeover event featuring the Squalicum High School girls flag football program. The Seahawks host these events to support and grow girls flag football, complete with Seahawks talent, fan tents, giveaways, and plenty of hype.

Squalicum was joined by Ferndale High School, Monroe High School, and Jackson High School for the event. Two games were featured, including Squalicum versus Jackson and Monroe versus Ferndale.

Squalicum made the most of the spotlight, shutting out Jackson with a 7-0 win. Head coach Reed Richardson was named Coach of the Game and presented with a football, and the Storm program also received a $1,000 donation from the Seahawks.

Before kickoff, fans lined up for autographs and photos with former Seahawks offensive lineman Garry Gilliam, picked up giveaways, and joined in a fan game. Gilliam met with each team to share words of encouragement, while Seahawks mascot Blitz worked the field tossing footballs, interacting with players, and helping with the coin toss for the Squalicum versus Jackson game. Seahawks dancers and the drumline Blue Thunder added to the electric atmosphere.

Girls flag football is still new but growing fast in Bellingham. The 2025-26 school year marks the second year of the sport in Bellingham Public Schools, with teams at Bellingham, Sehome, and Squalicum high schools. This season alone, 88 student-athletes are competing across the three programs.

→ Read the full story here ←

🎉 Good news, walkers, sunset watchers, and pier strollers. The Little Squalicum Pier is officially back open. Just in time for a sunny, gorgeous weekend, too. 😎

City crews from the Park Operations Trails and Park Improvements teams wrapped up repairs in record time after damage from the December 10 storm. High tides and strong wave action took a toll on the pier abutment, but the fix is solid. Crews placed a whopping 160 tons of mixed aggregate rock along the shoreline to stabilize the area and help protect the pier for years to come.

There are a few finishing touches planned for next week, but the important part is this. The pier is open and ready for your weekend plans.

If you need a reminder to get outside, consider this it. Grab a jacket, bring a friend, and enjoy having one of our favorite waterfront spots back where it belongs.

Ira Glass is coming to Mount Baker Theatre on Saturday, January 24

If you love a good story, this one is for you. On Saturday, January 24 at 7:30 p.m., Ira Glass is coming to Mount Baker Theatre with his live show Seven Things I’ve Learned.

Glass is the longtime voice behind This American Life and one of the most influential storytellers in public radio. During the evening, he mixes audio live on stage and shares behind the scenes lessons from decades of creating stories. Expect insight, humor, and plenty of those “oh wow” moments.

Tickets are limited and start at $46. If you want to turn it into a full night out, Hotel Bellwether is offering preferred room rates, subject to availability.

→ Get tickets here ←
→ Learn More ←

A cozy theater, a world class storyteller, and a Saturday night in downtown Bellingham. Not a bad plan at all.

P.S. This is my favorite 2-minutes from him EVER! Give it a listen.