Officer-Involved Shooting in Maple Falls Leaves One Dead, One Arrested

By BRIAN HENDERSON · April 27, 2026 · PNW Daily

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Maple Falls that left one suspect dead and another in custody following an earlier violent incident in Ferndale.

The Lummi Nation Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation continue to investigate a shooting that occurred around 4:20 a.m. April 25 in the 3500 block of North Red River Road in Ferndale. Officials identified the suspects as 36-year-old Luis E. Fernandez and 38-year-old Kayla C. James, both of Bellingham. That incident left a 34-year-old Ferndale man in critical condition.

Suspects Located in Maple Falls

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office investigators developed information that Fernandez and James were at a property in the 7700 block of Kendall Road in Maple Falls on April 26. That evening, the sheriff’s office Special Response Unit responded to the location to apprehend the suspects. The unit included the Crisis Negotiations Team and a multi-jurisdictional SWAT team with officers from the Lynden and Ferndale police departments.

Officer-Involved Shooting Under Investigation

During the attempt to take the suspects into custody, shots rang out. Fernandez was struck and died at the scene. No law enforcement officers or other individuals suffered injuries. Furthermore, officers took James into custody without further incident. Authorities booked her into the Whatcom County Jail on probable cause related to the Ferndale shooting, along with several outstanding warrants.

Charges Against Kayla C. James — All Charges Are Allegations

Attempted homicide — two counts
Robbery
Residential burglary
Several outstanding warrants

Independent Investigation Launched

The sheriff’s office requested an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting by the Law Enforcement Multi-Agency Response Team. The Bellingham Police Department serves as the lead agency. Additionally, crime scene investigators executed search warrants at the Kendall Road property Monday as detectives work to collect evidence and establish a timeline of events.

Authorities say few details are available as the investigation remains active. PNW Daily will update this story as new information becomes available.

Public Asked for Information

Anyone who was in the area of Kendall Road on the evening of April 26 and may have seen or heard anything is asked to contact investigators:

Tip Lines

Maple Falls shooting tips:
Phone: 360-778-8611
Online: cob.org/tips

Ferndale shooting tips:
FBI: tips.fbi.gov
Phone: 1-800-CALL-FBI

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened in the Maple Falls officer-involved shooting?

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Unit responded to a property on Kendall Road in Maple Falls on April 26 to apprehend suspects linked to a Ferndale shooting. During the encounter, shots rang out and suspect Luis E. Fernandez, 36, died at the scene. No law enforcement officers suffered injuries. Suspect Kayla C. James, 38, was taken into custody without further incident.

What charges does Kayla James face?

Authorities booked Kayla C. James, 38, of Bellingham into the Whatcom County Jail on probable cause for two counts of attempted homicide, robbery, and residential burglary related to the April 25 Ferndale shooting, along with several outstanding warrants. All charges are allegations.

What was the Ferndale shooting on April 25?

A shooting at around 4:20 a.m. April 25 in the 3500 block of North Red River Road in Ferndale left a 34-year-old Ferndale man in critical condition. The Lummi Nation Police Department and FBI continue to investigate that incident. Luis E. Fernandez and Kayla C. James, both of Bellingham, are the identified suspects.

Who is investigating the Maple Falls officer-involved shooting?

The Law Enforcement Multi-Agency Response Team is conducting an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting. The Bellingham Police Department serves as the lead agency. Crime scene investigators executed search warrants at the Kendall Road property Monday.