OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Bellingham man accused of shooting a person at a protest in Olympia will not be charged.
25-year-old Forest M. Machala of Bellingham allegedly shot a 20-year-old man after supporters of President Trump and counter-protesters clashed near the Capitol Campus on December 12.
The victim was left with serious injuries.
A spokesperson for the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told The Olympian that prosecutors determined that they had insufficient evidence to proceed with charges.
The case is now back with Washington State Patrol.
Machala’s attorney says he believes investigators will determine the shooting was done in self defense.