Woman dead, another arrested in fight over stolen political sign

SKAGIT COUNTY, Wash. — One woman is dead and a second is in jail after a fight stemming from the alleged theft of a Loren Culp sign.

The woman was shot Saturday at a home in an unincorporated part of Skagit County near Mount Vernon known as Big Lake.

Skagit County deputies were called to a report of a fight around 5:30 p.m. A short time later, another call came in from a man saying his friend had been shot.

Authorities arrived to find a 32-year-old Arlington woman dead in the driveway.

According to deputies, the homeowner originally thought two people were trying to steal his mail.

When he got close to them, however, deputies said the man realized they were actually stealing his Loren Culp sign, setting off a violent confrontation.

“At some point during the altercation, his 55-year-old wife came outside of the residence, filed multiple rounds from a gun and the female was shot,” said Skagit County Undersheriff Chad Clark.

KIRO 7 confirmed the shooter’s identity  as Angela Conijn.

After investigating through the night with state troopers and Mount Vernon officers, detectives arrested Conijn for investigation of second-degree murder.

Conijn’s husband was arrested on fourth-degree assault charges.

Authorities said they have seen many fights over political signs, but it rarely leads to something like murder.

“To have gunfire erupt after a fight--- I haven’t seen it before,” Undersheriff Clark said.

Both Conijn and her husband were supposed to face a judge on Tuesday, but their court appearance was rescheduled.

Her bail is $500,000.

Authorities still have not released the name of the 32-year-old woman who was shot and killed.

Cox Media Group