A 63-year-old Birch Bay man is facing two counts of attempted murder after allegedly shooting an adult and a two-year-old child Monday evening, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were dispatched to a residential area in Birch Bay around 7:45 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, following a report of an assault with a firearm. Additional calls followed, including one from a resident who reported hearing gunshots and seeing a neighbor run from a house carrying a baby. Others reported two people with gunshot wounds.

Deputies arrived within minutes and located both victims — an adult and their two-year-old child — at a nearby residence. Both had gunshot wounds described as non-life-threatening. The adult victim identified the shooter as 63-year-old Anthony “Tony” Palomba of Birch Bay, who was known to the victims.

As additional deputies arrived, Palomba attempted to flee but was quickly surrounded. According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies de-escalated the situation, issued verbal commands, and took Palomba into custody without incident. A pistol was observed on the passenger seat of his vehicle.

Investigators determined that Palomba and the adult victim had argued earlier in the day. Later, according to the Sheriff’s Office, Palomba armed himself and pointed the gun at the victim. The victim grabbed the child and fled the residence as Palomba fired. He then allegedly pointed the gun at one of three other adults present at the time.

Deputies served multiple search warrants, seizing a pistol from the vehicle along with other evidence from the residence. That included a fired bullet that entered the home and came to rest in a living room where two other residents were sitting.

“An incident involving an alleged attempt to take another’s life is deeply troubling and understandably shakes our community” says Whatcom Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley in a statement. He credited deputies for their quick response and de-escalation, adding that his thoughts were with the victims and their families.

Palomba was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on two counts of attempted murder, felony harassment (domestic violence), reckless endangerment, and unlawful carrying of a firearm. The two victims were transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.