December 23, 2020 6:33 am
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OLYMPIA, Wash. The Bellingham man accused of shooting a person at a protest in Olympia will not be charged.
25-year-old Forest M. Machala of Bellingham allegedly shot a 20-year-old man after supporters of President Trump and counter-protesters clashed near the Capitol Campus on December 12.
The victim was left with serious injuries.
A spokesperson for the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told The Olympian that prosecutors determined that they had insufficient evidence to proceed with charges.
The case is now back with Washington State Patrol.
Machala’s attorney says he believes investigators will determine the shooting was done in self defense.
Thurston Prosecutors Decline to Charge Man Accused of Shooting at Protest Near Capitol chronline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from chronline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Thurston prosecutors decline to charge man accused of shooting at Dec. 12 protest near Capitol By Martín Bilbao, , The Olympian (Olympia, Wash.) (TNS),
Published: December 22, 2020, 11:24am
Share: A large group of black clad protesters marched through the Washington Capitol Campus and downtown Olympia, Wash., clashing with supporters of President Donald Trump and threatening bystanders, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Police in Olympia declared a riot early Saturday afternoon and arrested at least one person as groups with different points of view held simultaneous protests. (The Olympian via AP)
Thurston County prosecutors have declined to charge a 25-year-old Bellingham man accused of shooting another man during a clash between protesters Dec. 12 near the Capitol Campus in Olympia.