Woman pleads guilty, sentenced to 10 years in prison for murdering man at Bellingham homeless encampment

Coleen Clark, 36, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of Zachariah Janusiewicz at a Bellingham homeless encampment. The incident took place in April 2024 when Clark confronted Janusiewicz, who was allegedly planning to sell fentanyl. During the altercation, Clark chased Janusiewicz and accidentally fired a gunshot that struck him in the torso, resulting in his death at a nearby hospital. Clark and her alleged accomplice, Gale Jefferson, were arrested two weeks later. Jefferson, 34, has pleaded not guilty and faces a jury trial set for July 14.

This incident underscores the challenges of violence and crime that frequently affect homeless populations. The local community continues to grapple with the implications of drug-related violence on public safety. Clark's case reflects the broader issues surrounding homelessness and substance abuse in the region.