Dispute Over Trees Escalates Into Shooting Between Nicoma Park Neighbors

A dispute over trees escalated into a shooting on Wednesday between two Nicoma Park neighbors. 

One man was sent to the hospital with several gunshot injuries, and the accused shooter went to jail.

One of the Nicoma Park officers who responded to the scene said the shooting occurred in the street and it was the first time their department had been called to handle a dispute between the neighbors. 

Police released the 911 calls made before and after the shooting.

Victim’s son:

“My dad just got shot by my neighbor because um yeah we need an ambulance out here.”

That 911 call was made by Curtis Chamber's son. 

Nicoma Park Police said Chambers hired a landscaping crew to remove a tree at the root of an on-going dispute with 67-year-old James Uriarte. 

Officers learned Chambers had attorneys involved and warned Uriarte the tree was coming down. The suspect came home surprised to find the tree crew on his property.

Uriarte:

“I need somebody over. I got some crazy bastards in my driveway setting up, cutting down my trees trespassing on my property.”

Moments later, Uriarte and Chambers were heard yelling in the street. One witness heard three gunshots.

Neighbor:

“We got a shooting going on over her on Stewart Avenue.”

Captain Michael Haynes, with the Nicoma Park Police Department, was one of the first officers to arrive at the chaotic scene. He found Chambers badly injured but said the wounds were non-life threatening. 

The armed suspect was still at the scene and surrendered his gun to police before going into custody.

“Encourage the public to call us first before things get to the point of escalating to deadly force or anything like that,” Haynes said. 

Uriarte faces one complaint of assault and battery with a deadly weapon. 

Police said he was released from jail on Thursday on a $50,000 bond. 

Uriarte has not been formally charged by the district attorney’s office.