Lummi Nation Officer Shot Seven Times in Ambush Returns to Duty

LUMMI NATION — The Lummi Nation Police Department announced Wednesday that Officer Coquillette has returned to duty nearly 10 months after surviving an ambush-style shooting in July 2025.

“Please welcome back to the road Officer Coquillette!” the department wrote in a social media post Wednesday. “After a long road to recovery following the incident last July, we are beyond grateful to have him back in uniform and serving our community once again.”

The Night of the Shooting

The shooting occurred July 28, 2025, when Coquillette stopped to check on a vehicle in a ditch along North Red River Road. What began as a routine response quickly turned violent. Prosecutors say the suspect opened fire on the officer without warning. Authorities say the gunfire struck Coquillette seven times in the legs and stomach. His bulletproof vest likely saved his life.

The shooting sparked a large multi-agency manhunt involving tribal, county and state law enforcement. Police later arrested 24-year-old Jesus Penuelas-Agramon. Prosecutors subsequently charged him with attempted murder in Whatcom County Superior Court. Court records show Penuelas-Agramon pleaded not guilty, and his jury trial is scheduled to begin June 15.

Community Support and a Long Road Back

Community members rallied around Coquillette and his family after the shooting. A fundraiser raised more than $20,000 to help support them during his recovery. Meanwhile, the officer underwent multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation before returning to uniform this week.

The department thanked the community for months of support and prayers. “His bravery that night and his dedication to getting back on duty show exactly why he is such an asset to the force,” the department said.