PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Police department seized a woman’s pellet gun over the weekend after staff at a Port Angeles bank reported a firearm had been fired in the bank’s parking lot.
“Officers determined that the firearm was actually a pellet gun, but looked very real,” a press release said.
Police referred charges to the Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, recommending the woman be charged with unlawful handling of weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm and fourth-degree assault.
The Peninsula Daily News is not identifying the woman because she has not been charged with a crime.
Police did not arrest the woman because of how little space was available in the Clallam County jail, Sgt. Josh Powless said Sunday.
“The jail is really full right now,” he said. On Sunday, there were 134 inmates in the jail, which has a bed capacity of 120.
Staff at Sound Community Bank, 110 N. Alder St., reported at about 2:14 p.m. Friday that a firearm had been fired in the parking lot. They also triggered the bank’s panic alarm.
Police later discovered the woman and a man had been in a vehicle in the parking lot waiting to meet with another woman to retrieve personal property.
When the other woman and another man arrived with the property, an argument ensued. The other woman and man then walked away, according to the press release.
“Witnesses stated that when this occurred, [she] exited the vehicle, pulled out a firearm, and fired it toward the other female,” the press release said.
Powless said bank employees were outside when they watched the woman fire the pellet gun but didn’t hear the shot. He said the alleged victim didn’t hear the shot either.
“The victim had no idea [she] pointed and shot toward her,” he said.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.