Deputies: ‘Reckless’ neighbors fire shots near Arlington family preparing for birthday party
Jul 17, 2026, 5:56 AM
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office said multiple bullets were shot at two families, hitting two homes in Arlington.
“Seeing my son run across the street is the hardest thing in the world with gunshots hitting my house,” Justin Coker said.
Coker’s 5-year-old son was among the kids playing outside on Saturday afternoon when gunfire erupted.
Coker said bullets shattered his glass door, struck his fence and playset in his backyard, and even hit his computer, nearly a foot away from where he was standing.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office identified the shooters as neighbors living a few properties behind Coker’s home.
“On Saturday, deputies responded to a shots-fired call at approximately 2:45 p.m.,” the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office said. “Deputies responded and discovered neighbors through the woods on 123rd Ave NE were shooting at a target but were missing the target or using a nonsufficient backstop and struck two nearby residences. This occurred in a legal shooting area, however, due to their recklessness, deputies are referring charges of reckless endangerment.”
This is still an active investigation.
“There’s no shooting range or public access for people to be shooting back there, and the property owner or the person who’s staying on the property — he’s the one who had his friends come over — and he said it was an OK place to shoot,” Coker said.
Coker said he wants the shooters to be held accountable, not just for his family, but for the Hand family across the street.
“We think there are a few more that hit the roof,” Tim Hand said.
Tim Hand said his home was also hit while he was preparing for his son’s birthday party the following day.
He is thankful that he and his family survived and were uninjured.
“We count our blessings, and we’re very grateful and fortunate,” Hand said.
