Alligators found at scene of suspected drug shooting
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Sheriff's deputies found two 5-foot alligators at a marijuana grow site where a man was shot on Monday evening.
Thurston County sheriff's Lt. Greg Elwin said deputies responded to the scene in the Scott Lake area south of Olympia when a man called 911 to say he had shot another man.
The shooter told deputies that he fired in self defense, but investigators now believe otherwise.
Detectives say the victim had been doing maintenance work at the shooter's home, and there was a dispute, allegedly over paying for the work in cash and prescription drugs. The gunman, according to investigators, had threatened to fill the victim with holes.
After the shooting, the 30-year-old victim drove, bleeding, to his father's house nearby. Medics took him to Providence St. Peter Hospital where he is expected to recover.
The alleged gunman, identified as 41-year-old Darren C. Shore, was booked into jail for investigation of attempted murder.
Shore's mother was on hand as he appeared in court Tuesday. The woman said her son uses medical marijuana for crippling back pain and joint problems. She added the allegations don't make any sense.
"Darren's always been a kind person, and this it totally out of character for him," said Ellie Pierson-Sutter.
Elwin said the alligators found by deputies were likely being used to protect the drugs. The sheriff's office is working with county Animal Services to determine what will happen to the alligators.
Thurston County sheriff's Lt. Greg Elwin said deputies responded to the scene in the Scott Lake area south of Olympia when a man called 911 to say he had shot another man.
The shooter told deputies that he fired in self defense, but investigators now believe otherwise.
Detectives say the victim had been doing maintenance work at the shooter's home, and there was a dispute, allegedly over paying for the work in cash and prescription drugs. The gunman, according to investigators, had threatened to fill the victim with holes.
After the shooting, the 30-year-old victim drove, bleeding, to his father's house nearby. Medics took him to Providence St. Peter Hospital where he is expected to recover.
The alleged gunman, identified as 41-year-old Darren C. Shore, was booked into jail for investigation of attempted murder.
Shore's mother was on hand as he appeared in court Tuesday. The woman said her son uses medical marijuana for crippling back pain and joint problems. She added the allegations don't make any sense.
"Darren's always been a kind person, and this it totally out of character for him," said Ellie Pierson-Sutter.
Elwin said the alligators found by deputies were likely being used to protect the drugs. The sheriff's office is working with county Animal Services to determine what will happen to the alligators.
"Darren's always been a kind person, and this it totally out of character for him," said Ellie Pierson-Sutter." Â
(from the story)
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Oh yeah,. Darren sounds like a real peach..! Â Â He shoots people full of holes to settle arguments, and has 2 alligators as "guards" for his MJ grow...Â
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What a world we've made... sigh...
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Just lock them up in the same cell as Darren Shore.
Geesh. I was hoping that the updaed version was going to say that he gators were big enough to make a pair of boots. Oh well.
^ updated
what a maroon!
Alligator tail.... I'll take a chunk Cajun style!
Alligators are the worst guard-dawgs ever. My grandfather has a story about their "guard" alligator when they lived in Florida. The excuse the kids gave for keeping it was that it kept away panthers. They had it chained to a post outside the house and the kids would toss pebbles at it, heckle it, and it never moved. Then, after a few days, it simply decided enough was enough and walked off into the swamp, taking the chain and the post with it. It could have snatched any of the kids whenever it felt like it, and simply didn't give a damn. If an alligator gets it in its head to bite the owner, it will. That would have been an awesome news story!
Dear animal services,
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Might I suggest deep frying the critters?
@beernpizza They are too small for a pair of boots so I will just request a purse. Thank you.
The picture makes think of "Makin' bacon", but the Marijuana grow just makes me think of bakin'.
 @xilef regnu This morning the drive-through lady at Carl's Jr. on 148th and Stark was wearing a shirt that says "We Wake and Bake Every Day."Â
@Playanekes @xilef regnu I'd rather they wear a shirt that says they "bathe" everyday
Stupid cops. The alligators are the drug bosses. They told Shore to cop to the shooting or they'd get to his family!
 @RatchetRanger Now that is the only plausible explanation to this bizarre story! :) Kudos to RatchetRanger!