Bellingham Police Department is actively investigating after a woman reported being raped by two men at Maritime Heritage Park in the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 7, 2016.
The victim reported that she was walking in the area of the park between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. when she met and conversed with a similarly aged white male. After speaking with him for an undetermined amount of time and sharing cigarettes, they began to walk into the park on the boardwalk.
The victim reported that she was pushed to the ground and sexually assaulted by this male with another male who is believed to have been close by. After the alleged assault, the victim left the area and was transported by family to the Emergency Room at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center for a sexual assault exam where she was contacted by patrol officers. The crime scene was thoroughly documented by the Bellingham Police Department and detectives are following up on leads.
“My heart goes out to the victim. I am immensely saddened that this happened in our community,” Mayor Kelli Linville said. “Providing public safety is a core responsibility of the City. I am assembling my leadership team to continue to address public safety in our downtown park.”
If you have any tips or information that you feel detectives should know, please call Detective Sue Howell at 360-778-8682 or report it on the City's website tip line at www.cob.org/tips.
