Man in sex offender slayings ‘sets story straight' in letter to KIRO 7

CLALLAM BAY, Wash. — A letter to KIRO 7 Eyewitness News purporting to be from a man suspected of shooting two sex offenders to death  says the man wanted "to set the story straight on why he attacked (his) particular targets."

Investigators said Patrick Drum, 34, shot Gary Lee Blanton, 28, near Sequim on June 2.

Prosecutors said Drum also shot Jerry Wayne Ray, 57, near Port Angeles early June 3.

Blanton was convicted in the rape of a 17-year-old girl in 2001.  He was charged with child abuse last June.

Ray was convicted in August 2002 of child rape.

According to a letter from an inmate at the Clallam County Corrections Facility signed with the name Patrick Drum, the letter was written because Drum had heard a report on another local news station that said the offense of one of his victims was consensual sex with a minor.

The letter said that report was wrong, and the particular victim “sexually violated three young boys about 10 years ago. Boys under the age of 10 is in no way consensual.”

It went on to describe how Drum used to help walk the boys across the street, and years later, when they were teenagers, took the boys fishing.

The letter said the other victim, in addition to his sex offense, had a kidnapping charge and an active case for breaking his toddler’s arm.

“I am not fond of either target but my heart is heavy for their families.  That is all I can say because I am potentially looking at the death sentence,” the letter ended.

Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict said that after the slayings, a note was found in the rental car that Drum had been driving that apologized to police and said “It had to be done.”

KIRO