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Suspect in Belfair shooting arrested after car chase

Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Belfair shooting suspect Michael Beyer, 45, collaring him as a passenger after a police pursuit and spike strip deployment stopped a fleeing vehicle Jan. 9 near Allyn.

Beyer had an outstanding warrant for first-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with a Belfair shooting Jan. 6, according to MCSO.

“This incident underscores the importance of recent updates to Washington State law allowing law enforcement to pursue vehicles in specific situations. Without the ability to conduct this pursuit, capturing this dangerous fugitive and ensuring public safety would have been significantly more challenging,” a MCSO news release states.

On Jan. 6 around 5 p.m., deputies responded to the Peninsula Physical Therapy building at 21 NE Romance Hill Road, Belfair, for a shooting victim call.

Donnie Lund, 40, had “what was initially relayed as multiple gunshot wounds to his upper right chest/collarbone area. Lund was described as fading in and out of consciousness when contacted by deputies and was only able to provide information that he was shot in Belfair, along with his own name, according to a MCSO probable cause document.

An ambulance took Lund to St. Joseph’s Trauma Center in Tacoma for treatment while deputies spoke with a man who had driven Lund from the shooting location to the urgent care clinic.

The man said someone he knew as “Mike B” shot Lund.

MCSO Detective Helser wrote in the probable cause document that Michael Beyer is often referred to as “Mike B.”

“I further know, based on my previous interactions and knowledge of Beyer, he is well known to carry firearms. Moreover, Beyer is flagged in NCIC/WACIC as a Violent Person with threats towards law enforcement,” according to Helser.

The man later positively identified Beyer as “Mike B” and told deputies what happened before the shooting, the document states.

The man said Beyer and Lund “exchanged words” outside and then both came inside a home in Belfair.

“While conversing in the living room area, Beyer stated something to the effect of, ‘Nah, I’m not gonna be punked out, cuz I’ll blow you away.’ Beyer then proceeded to draw a firearm from the area of his front waistband and fired approximately three rounds, followed by another two shots when the two were physically fighting in the kitchen area,” according to the probable cause document.

“The two separated in the kitchen area, and Beyer fled out the front door on foot. Lund walked back into the living room and stated he wasn’t feeling good,” according to the document.

Deputies went to the home where the shooting allegedly occurred and the homeowner allowed a search where a silver revolver was found “on the floor of the kitchen, along with other evidence of an apparent struggle therein. Additionally, blood was observed on the back of the couch seat in the adjacent living room,” the probable cause document states.

Beyer pleaded not guilty at a

Jan. 14 hearing in Mason County Superior Court.

Judge Monty Cobb set Beyer’s bail at $150,000.

Beyer is an 11-time convicted felon with his most recent felony convictions being controlled substance possession and second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission in 2009, according to MCSO.

Author Bio

June Williams, Reporter

Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald

 

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