A shooting at a Scott Lake home Monday night led police to an unusual scene featuring two 5-foot alligators, marijuana plants and a stripper pole.
Darren C. Shore, 41, of Olympia appeared by video Tuesday in Thurston County Superior Court for allegedly firing at Ryan Lemcke, 30. Judge Gary Tabor said he found probable cause for first-degree assault and set bail at $200,000.
The prosecutor’s office has until Thursday to file formal charges.
Shore has no criminal convictions. According to a probable-cause statement and court documents:
Shore said Lemcke helped him move a hot tub and expected to be paid with Vicodin prescribed to Shore. Shore said he resisted and told Lemcke’s stepmother about the pills.
Shore said he later received a threatening text message from Lemcke, who said he was coming to Shore’s home on Champion Drive Southwest. Shore armed himself with a .380 pistol and waited.
“He told us he was in fear of his life, that he thought he was going to get run over and that’s why he discharged his weapon,” Lt. Greg Elwin said.
Shore pounded on the window of Lemcke’s truck and told him to leave, then fired several shots at the truck.
Lemcke was struck twice; one bullet hit his bicep and another glanced off his shoulder.
Police interviewed Lemcke at Providence St. Peter Hospital. He reportedly said he’d worked around Shore’s house for two days to make extra money, but Shore later offered to pay him with Vicodin and marijuana that was grown at Shore’s home.
Elwin said deputies found marijuana plants, the alligators and a stripper pole in the middle of the home’s living room. Shore’s girlfriend is an adult entertainer, he added. Shore legally owned the alligators, according to a spokesperson with Animal Services of Thurston County.
Lemcke told police he only took money, but later called Shore back and asked for Vicodin because “his friend’s foot was broken.”
Lemcke said he went to Shore’s home, noticed he was “acting very strange” and accused him of making drug deals over the phone. Lemcke said he left Shore’s home and texted him later to see if he was OK, but heard no response.
Lemcke’s stepmother allegedly received a call from Shore saying her stepson was trying to get prescription drugs from him and was making drug deals. Lemcke denied that and said he drove to Shore’s home after texting him, adding that he “made a mistake by saying those things.”
He said he drove to Shore’s house to try to “work things out,” but Shore shot at him. He drove away after being hit twice, court records state.
According to an employment/support document provided by the court, Shore has lived at the home for two to three years, is unemployed and receives Labor & Industries benefits.
Chelsea Krotzer: 360-754-5476
ckrotzer@theolympian.com
theolympian.com/thisjustin
@chelseakrotzer
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