An afternoon gathering of friends in Bellingham, Washington, took a tragic turn, ending the life of 18-year-old Alejandro Pallares, a Hispanic male. On the evening of May 18, 2025, Pallares was with Cristian Angel Lara-Guzman, also 18, and a female friend in an apartment on Creston Way. The young men were reportedly playing with a 9mm handgun that belonged to Pallares, specifically examining its laser sights.
According to a witness, Lara-Guzman was pointing the firearm at Pallares and
waving it around the room. The witness left the room, and shortly after, a single gunshot was heard. She returned to find Pallares bleeding on the bed. Lara-Guzman, in a state of distress, told her to call 911 and was heard saying he had "messed up." During the 911 call, he informed the operator that he was unaware there was a bullet in the chamber of the weapon.
Police arrived at the scene around 7:05 p.m. to find Pallares unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head. He was rushed to Saint Joseph Medical Center in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, Alejandro Pallares succumbed to his injuries a week later, on May 25, 2025. Pallares was a senior at Ferndale High School and a member of the football team, just a week away from graduation.
Cristian Angel Lara-Guzman was arrested at the scene. He was initially charged with first-degree assault, but following Pallares's death, the charge was amended to first-degree manslaughter. He also faces a charge of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior conviction. Lara-Guzman pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is being held at the Whatcom County Jail on $1 million bail.
