Ferndale police identify homicide suspect in Sunday’s shooting death outside large party

David Rasbach
·2 min read

The Ferndale Police Department has identified a suspect in Sunday’s deadly shooting of another man outside a large party and is asking for the public’s help locating him.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Miguel Angel Miranda, 23, on suspicion of homicide, according to a Thursday, Jan. 27, news release from the city of Ferndale.

Miranda was last seen in a white 2010 Acura with Washington state license plate number BYD1918, according to the release. The car has dark tinted window and black wheels.

“Miranda is considered armed and dangerous,” the release stated. “If you see or know the whereabouts of Miranda, please call 9-1-1 DO NOT approach him.”

Jose Esquivel Hernandez was shot and later died at St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham, according to a statement provided to The Bellingham Herald by city of Ferndale spokesperson Riley Sweeney on Monday, Jan. 24.

The American Legion building on Second Avenue on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, in Ferndale, Wash. Ferndale Police are investigating after a man was shot and killed Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, at a large private gathering at the American Legion building.
The American Legion building on Second Avenue on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, in Ferndale, Wash. Ferndale Police are investigating after a man was shot and killed Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, at a large private gathering at the American Legion building.

Police were sent at approximately 12:15 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, to a report of the possible shooting in the 5500 block Second Avenue, Sweeney reported, and arrived to find Hernandez lying on the sidewalk in front of the American Legion building. Bystanders were administering first aid to Hernandez, who was bleeding after apparently having been shot.

Hernandez was shot twice, according to Thursday’s release.

Paramedics took Hernandez to the hospital, Sweeney reported, but Hernandez later died.

The shooting was witnessed by several people, according to Sweeney, who reported there was an argument between Hernandez and an unknown man and several gunshots were heard. No witnesses were able to give any specific information, though.

“Shortly after hearing the shots, witnesses described a white smaller passenger car flee the area,” Sweeney wrote. “That vehicle was last seen northbound on I-5 from Main St.”

Whatcom County Superior Court records show Miranda has a previous felony conviction for first-degree criminal assistance from a 2016 drive-by shooting incident, in which court documents state he was the driver in a drive-by shooting that occurred on Haxton Way. He was sentenced to six months in Whatcom County Jail.

He also has previous juvenile convictions for malicious mischief, criminal trespassing, obstructing law enforcement and assault, court records show.