— from Sheriff Ron Krebs —
On Monday, March 16, 2020 at approximately 8:21 p.m., Orcas deputies were dispatched to 82 Jackson Road on Orcas Island for a reported shooting incident. Two subjects were reportedly shot.
Witnesses reported an altercation occurred inside the residence between Jonathan D. Wilkins and Marvel M. Ross. The two were separated by Maximillian M. Shuman, and Shuman told Wilkins to leave. Wilkins left the residence, walking out to his car, followed by Ross, Shuman, and Quinn Linberg. Upon reaching his vehicle, Wilkins turned, drew a .25 automatic pistol and fired at least six shots. Ross was struck twice — in the neck and abdomen. Linberg was struck in the leg. A bullet passed through the top of Shuman’s beanie-style hat, missing the top of his head by approximately two inches.
Wilkins attempted to leave the scene in his truck, striking another truck and a dumpster before being removed from the truck by Shuman. Wilkins was held by subjects on scene. Wilkins was arrested by deputies upon their arrival and transported to the substation. Ross and Linberg were transported from the scene by EMS personnel, and Ross was flown to Harborview Medical Center, where he remains in intensive care.
Det. Buchanan interviewed Wilkins. Wilkins admitted having a firearm at the gathering, and admitted shooting in the direction of subjects following him outside. A criminal records check showed Wilkins has been convicted of felonies, including Burglary and theft of a firearm.
There is probable cause to believe that Jonathan D. Wilkins (09/17/1975) committed the crime(s) of RCW 9A.36.011 Assault in the 1st degree X2, RCW 9A.36.011, Attempted Assault 1st degree, RCW 9.41.040 (2) Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd degree
If Jonathan D. Wilkins has previously been convicted of several felonies, including burglary and theft of a firearm, then he would not have been able to legally purchase the firearm he used last night. He would not have passed the FBI instant-check system.
So how was he able to acquire a firearm? Obviously, he acquired it illegally, either “on the street” or by stealing it from a legal owner. (Remember: both of those methods are equally illegal.)
So how, exactly, does the universal instant-check system do anything about eliminating, or even merely reducing, criminal behavior?
The truth is, it can’t and it doesn’t. Focussing upon the gun is futile, because it is the criminal who commits the crime, not the firearm. We are putting our priorities in the wrong place, and society is paying a high price for it.
Prayers up for Marvie Ross everyone…and Quinn Lindberg …and for their families.
Let’s hope that Krebs actually completes an investigation on this one. Second shooting at this location in a year. The first resulted in no action and the gun was never located.
This incident also begs the question of when the county is going to take action against this property. The county and police are knowingly allowing illegal residential use, drug activity and sanitary violations to occur. It is time to stop turning a blind eye to known locations like these.
EMS responders do not deserve to consistently be responding to locations which are known to be unsafe, neighbors do not deserve to have this in their back yards and our community deserves a real, thorough investigation: the first time. This time everyone survived. Next time…
Don’t the charges seem pretty light for attempted murder?
If we don’t have something in place for helping hard drug users kick drugs for good, we are going to see much worse as times get more desperate. Wilkins committed attempted murder just by shooting a firearm in the direction of people. He should do time. Agree that known drug houses keep endangering everyone. I don’t know the answers but we need more than the police; maybe it’s time for a methadone clinic for heroin users but meth and crack cocaine are a different story. We have to do something. The problem is complex – it’s societal/ cultural / systemic.
For opiates, it’s simple; doctors need to stop prescribing so freely and finally look to integrated medicine alternatives, acupuncture, and CBD oils for pain… So we have to reform big pharma, which is addicted to profit and profit only. That will be tough.
For meth, crack, and ice use, it’s harder. But we need to look to helping these people in other ways, including teaching some life and practical skills. What if they start out being as something as simple as ADHD or dopamine-deficient or some chemical imbalance? We can’t just blame repeat hard drug users (I’m all for jailing the dealers and distributors of hard drugs!). We have to look to what is contributing to the problem. Many users can’t quit and are afraid to talk, have been threatened with death if they out their dealers. The problem is complex.
I hope all involved recover, and rethink their lives!
I am sending my heartfelt prayers to Marvey and Quinn and their families that they may be surrounded by love and kindness during this harsh time
USA Estimated number of guns: 120+ per hundred persons.
Just under One Million more sold last year alone.
Coronavirus pandemic increased sales by 60,000 guns per month.
What was the rationale given by these legal purchasers:
just in case society goes to heck and I have to defend my stash of TP.. Or whatever.
Yep. definitely not a “gun” problem.
I mean really, at what point do we listen to this kind of reasoning and just want to reach across the counter and stamp a big red indelible “STUPID!” on their forehead.. proclaim them too irretrievably civically incapacitated to endanger the life of everyone they are around!? See, we can’t do that because even if we could, there would be no way to keep them away from any gun! It would be like keeping them away from dandelions.
So yea, it’s not a “gun” problem like unwanted pregnancy is not a sperm problem. Only you can’t keep from getting killed by wearing a big condom [or MAGA hat] over your head. Like is this kind of reasoning a result of a hormone imbalance!?
There should be Federal funding to explore this further!
Historically, when law enforcement gives a repeated “Pass” on these hard-drug lairs it’s because they are running an informant out of that rats nest.