Retired CBP officer arrested for pulling a gun

A retired U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer was arrested after he allegedly pulled a gun from his waistband while confronting his wife and her boyfriend.

On June 17, the Blaine police department received a report that a man had brandished a weapon at Ambiance Coiffure Hair Salon on Martin Street in downtown Blaine.

Retired CBP officer Larry Lee Nichols, 70, had allegedly attended the hair salon to confront his wife, the owner, and to tell her she needed to come home. After Nichols began arguing loudly with his wife, her boyfriend, who was also present, sought to intervene.

According to Blaine police sergeant Michael Munden, Nichols then reached behind his waist and pulled out a handgun. Nichols allegedly held the gun with his right hand and showed a side profile of the gun to his wife’s boyfriend, who said, “Please don’t shoot me.”

“I just might,” Nichols responded.

Moments before officers arrived on scene, Nichols had departed from the location in a vehicle. The incident was then reported to police by his wife and her boyfriend, who reportedly feared for his life during the confrontation.

Officers went to Nichols’ residence in the Birch Bay area, and were able to pick him up without incident. “He came out of the residence without any issues and they took him to jail,” said Munden.

Nichols was charged with brandishing a handgun pursuant to RCW 9.41.270, which states that it is unlawful for any person “to carry, exhibit, display or draw any firearm” in a manner “that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.”

He was also charged with felony harassment pursuant to RCW 9A.46.020.

According to Munden, there is always the possibility of danger when a weapon is drawn during a heated confrontation. “It doesn’t sound like he raised it and pointed it directly at the victim, but just displaying it to someone is enough to get a felony charge,” he said.

As of Wednesday, June 26, Nichols was still in custody at Whatcom County Jail in Bellingham, according to records provided by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.