For updated information on the case, read here.
A 61-year-old Custer man was arrested for first-degree murder after he went to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and confessed to shooting a man at his home, according to the sheriff’s office.
Donald Edward Malone, 61, told WCSO detectives that the victim, who was known to Malone, had approached him at a shopping center on August 6. Malone said the man offered to drive Malone home to help clean out the garage. Malone expressed dislike for the victim and said he avoided interacting with him.
Malone traveled a different way to his house in the 3000 block of W. 75th Street in Custer, but the man followed Malone home, according to WCSO. According to Malone, he then retrieved a handgun and shot the victim multiple times outside of his home. No words were spoken, he said.
The following day, on August 7, Malone went to the sheriff’s office in Bellingham and told detectives about the shooting. Detectives went to Malone’s home, where they found the victim deceased.
Law enforcement arrested Malone and booked him into Whatcom County Jail for first-degree murder later that afternoon.
Bail has not yet been set, according to jail booking data. Court records show Malone’s preliminary appearance was scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, August 8.
The sheriff’s office has not released information about the victim and has declined to release more information during the investigation.
"As we progress with our investigation into this deeply upsetting incident, I want to emphasize our unwavering commitment to the community,” Sheriff Donnell Tanksley wrote in a statement. “The sheriff's office is diligently working to gather all pertinent evidence and pursue justice for those affected."
Correction: This article was updated on August 13 to correct that Malone traveled to his home, but didn't drive. We regret the error.
