Sequim gunman, suspected in 2 deaths, kills self while surrounded in Port Angeles

Posted

SEQUIM GAZETTE UPDATE 3:30 p.m. Feb. 22

Homicide suspect John Loring is dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot, according to Jim Borte, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer.

Loring is the suspect in two killings: Ray Varney, 65, at Diamond Point and David J. Randle, 19, on Woodcock Road in unincorporated Sequim. Randle was shot and killed Feb. 21; authorities are uncertain when Varney died of blunt force trauma or a gunshot.

Loring fled the shooting about 10:15 a.m. Feb. 21, changed vehicles, and went to Port Angeles where Clallam County Sheriff's officials received a tip about midnight that he was at an acquaintance's apartment in west Port Angeles. Officials confirmed his presence as of 2:30 a.m. Feb. 22, began evacuating neighbors about 6 a.m. and contacted Loring by telephone at 7:20 a.m.

Wednesday afternoon, law enforcement fired tear gas into the apartment. Two gunshots were heard, but authorities were still in telephone contact with Loring after the shots - and then he ceased to respond.

The Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad set in robot - twice and was able to open door into interior bathroom and found dead of gunshot wound to head.

SEQUIM GAZETTE UPDATE 9:26 a.m. Feb. 22

Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict said homicide suspect John Loring has been located at the Airway Heights apartment complex on West 16th Street in Port Angeles. The SWAT Team has surrounded the building and Benedict expects a peaceful resolution. He said people should avoid the area.

SEQUIM GAZETTE UPDATE 5:16 p.m. Feb. 21

Jim Borte, public information officer with the Clallam County Sheriff's Office, identified the shooting victim as 19-year-old David J. Randle. He said the Sheriff's Office is also investigating a second homicide, of a man at an undisclosed location east of Sequim, that may be related to Tuesday morning's shooting. 

SEQUIM GAZETTE STORY  5 p.m. Feb. 21

A Sequim man is dead after he was shot Tuesday, allegedly by his mother’s ex-boyfriend, at his home on Woodcock Road.

Law enforcement would not identify the victim prior to press time but confirmed a man died after being shot at about 10:15 a.m. Feb. 21.

The shooting suspect, convicted felon John Francis Loring, remains at large. He was last seen around 10:15 a.m. driving westbound on Woodcock Road in a white Dodge Dakota pickup. Sheriff’s deputies located the truck Tuesday afternoon and believe Loring may have switched to driving a 1985 blue Volkswagen van with Washington plate: 613PMG.

Loring, 44, is described as a 6 foot 6 inches tall with shoulder length brown hair in a ponytail, wearing glasses and a plaid jacket. He is considered armed and dangerous.

In January 2012, Loring was charged with unlawful imprisonment and violation of a no contact order after allegedly holding the victim’s mother, Shellie Gillis, against her will for several hours. Gillis filed for a protection order from Loring Dec. 12, citing domestic violence, harassment and unpredictable behavior. The order was dropped Jan. 27 when Gillis failed to appear for a hearing on the matter in Clallam County Court.

Loring’s convictions include misdemeanor assault, domestic violence, arson and firearms possession.

 

Jim Borte, public information officer with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, said according to eyewitnesses, Loring approached the house and an altercation occurred in which at least one shot was fired by Loring that struck and killed the victim.

Clallam County Fire District 3 responded to the area of Woodcock Road and Meyer-Andrew Lane for the report of a patient with a gunshot wound. Medics and a crew from Olympic Ambulance were requested to the scene by first arriving law enforcement units to evaluate a patient lying outside, said Patrick Young, public information officer for Fire District 3.

An evaluation of the patient was conducted and the scene was turned over to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department for investigation, he said.

Deputies with the Clallam and Jefferson County sheriff’s offices and Washington State Patrol troopers secured the area with yellow crime scene tape while they conducted their investigation.

The shooting took place at a residence in the 3900 block of Woodcock Road. In December 2011, the garage of that residence burned. Investigators Kimberley Pope, who babysits at a neighbor’s house, said the residence is known as a party house.

“Everyone has complained,” she said. “It’s a problem house — an ongoing issue.”

Neighbor Greg Vella said he heard a “bunch of ruckus” about 10:30 a.m. and looked out and saw police cars. Emergency responders were loading someone on a gurney into an ambulance, he said.

This is the first murder in Sequim since September 2008, when Forest Service Officer Kristine Fairbanks, 51, was shot and killed by Shawn Roe, who died the same day in a shoot out with Sheriff’s deputies at the Longhouse Market and Deli in Blyn.