THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — Police in Thurston County said two alligators apparently used to protect a marijuana growing operation were found at a home where a man was shot south of Olympia Monday night.
Police were called to a house in the 12100 block of Champion Drive Southwest in the Scott Lake area at 8:45 p.m. where they found a 30-year-old man who had been shot twice by a another man at the home, officers said.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting may have stemmed from a dispute between the victim and Darren Shore, 41, that may have been related to a failed drug deal.
Lt. Greg Elwin with the Sheriff’s Office said Shore claimed he shot the victim in self-defense but investigators determined that was untrue.
Elwin told TheOlympian.com that Shore began shooting shortly after the victim pulled up in his car.
Shore was arrested on charges of first-degree attempted murder Tuesday.
Elwin said that during the investigation, police found a marijuana growing operation at the house along with two live 5-foot-long alligators that were being used to protect the plants. Currently, the alligators are at the home with Shore's girlfriend. They were lured into the bathroom with chicken parts, he said.
Elwin also noted that there was a brass pole at the home because Shore's girlfriend was a dancer.
Police do not yet know if the marijuana was being grown legally for medical use or if the operation was illegal. Get more information on legalized marijuana.
The victim, who suffered minor injuries, was treated at Providence St. Peter Hospital and released.
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