Source: Police: Tattoo shop owner has employee shoot him as initiation, blames 'dark-skinned' suspect
CAMAS, WA (KPTV) -
A tattoo shop owner had one of his employees shoot him as part of an initiation into a club, but then the man called police and said he was shot by a "short, dark-skinned male" who came into his business, according to investigators.
Camas officers responded to Momentum Tattoo Parlor on Southeast Weir Street at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday.
Police said one of the owners, 38-year-old James Hoffman of Battle Ground, reported that a man came into his shop several hours earlier and fired three rounds from a handgun at him.
Hoffman had a graze wound above his left hip, but the bullet did not break his skin.
The Camas Police Department said every available officer responded to the scene and canvassed the neighborhood looking for a suspect. The department was also assisted by the Clark County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Team as the investigation continued through the evening and throughout the following day.
Neighboring businesses were contacted to view surveillance footage in hopes of spotting a suspect.
However, police later learned there was no suspect.
Detectives said they became suspicious of the story after interviewing everyone involved. According to investigators, Hoffman had one of the tattoo shop employees shoot him on purpose to initiate him into an internet-based club that requires members to be shot.
The shooting occurred in the tattoo shop during business hours, according to police. A search warrant was obtained and the gun that was used was recovered and seized as evidence.
Hoffman and the suspected shooter, 34-year-old Billy Beadle of Camas, were arrested and booked at the Clark County Jail on charges of reckless endangerment, aim-discharge of a firearm, false reporting and obstructing a public officer.
"This incident not only put the public at risk, but also put a considerable drain on public resources," a Camas Police Department release states.
CAMAS, WA (KPTV) -
A tattoo shop owner had one of his employees shoot him as part of an initiation into a club, but then the man called police and said he was shot by a "short, dark-skinned male" who came into his business, according to investigators.
Camas officers responded to Momentum Tattoo Parlor on Southeast Weir Street at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday.
Police said one of the owners, 38-year-old James Hoffman of Battle Ground, reported that a man came into his shop several hours earlier and fired three rounds from a handgun at him.
Hoffman had a graze wound above his left hip, but the bullet did not break his skin.
The Camas Police Department said every available officer responded to the scene and canvassed the neighborhood looking for a suspect. The department was also assisted by the Clark County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Team as the investigation continued through the evening and throughout the following day.
Neighboring businesses were contacted to view surveillance footage in hopes of spotting a suspect.
However, police later learned there was no suspect.
Detectives said they became suspicious of the story after interviewing everyone involved. According to investigators, Hoffman had one of the tattoo shop employees shoot him on purpose to initiate him into an internet-based club that requires members to be shot.
The shooting occurred in the tattoo shop during business hours, according to police. A search warrant was obtained and the gun that was used was recovered and seized as evidence.
Hoffman and the suspected shooter, 34-year-old Billy Beadle of Camas, were arrested and booked at the Clark County Jail on charges of reckless endangerment, aim-discharge of a firearm, false reporting and obstructing a public officer.
"This incident not only put the public at risk, but also put a considerable drain on public resources," a Camas Police Department release states.
