Bellingham fatal shooting suspect pleads not guilty

Cristian Lara Guzman, 18, appeared in court on charges of manslaughter and unlawful firearm possession, pleading not guilty following the fatal shooting of his friend, Alejandro Pallares. The tragic incident took place on May 18 in a Bellingham apartment, where Guzman and Pallares were playing with a loaded gun. A witness reported hearing a gunshot while the two were alone in a bedroom, resulting in Pallares suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Despite being hospitalized, Pallares succumbed to his injuries the following Sunday. Guzman expressed to a 911 dispatcher that he was unaware the firearm was loaded at the time.

He currently faces a $1 million bail at Whatcom County Jail. This case underscores the pressing issues surrounding gun safety, especially among young individuals. Legal experts anticipate that the outcome could influence local discussions on firearm regulations and youth access to guns.