Friday Harbor man dies from gunshot wound; brother held for questioning

A Friday Harbor man was reportedly shot to death early today. His brother is being held for questioning in San Juan County Jail.

At 2:40 a.m., sheriff's deputies went to an apartment at 500 Tucker Ave. to investigate a domestic violence report believed made by a neighbor. When they arrived, they were met in the parking lot by Jawaad Darcelle Reaves.

"He met the arriving units," Sheriff Bill Cumming said. "He was highly agitated and upset about the circumstances."

In the apartment, deputies found Reaves' brother, Jermaine De Shion Reaves, mortally wounded with a gunshot wound to the chest. Reaves was taken by Airlift Northwest helicopter to St. Joseph's Hospital in Bellingham, where he was pronounced dead.

In the apartment at the time were a family member and a friend; they are not suspects, Cumming said. The brothers lived together in the apartment, Cumming said. Also found in the apartment: A 20-gauge shotgun. Cumming believes Jermaine Reaves was shot once.

A 20-gauge shotgun is commonly used to hunt small game.

Jawaad Reaves was taken into custody at the scene and is being held for questioning. His attorney is Lawrence Delay. Reaves is expected to appear in Superior Court on Monday for a probable cause hearing. The prosecuting attorney's office will have 72 hours to determine whether a charge should be filed against Reaves.

An investigation into the alleged domestic violence is also in progress, Cumming said.

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