by Chris McDaniel

Olympic Peninsula News Group

A Sequim man was arrested the morning of July 21 after allegedly traveling to a Lake Aldwell Road residence and shooting another man in the buttocks earlier that morning, said Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.

Justin Bryles, 28, of Port Angeles was transported to Olympic Medical Center where he underwent surgery to remove the slug, King said. The slug has been taken as evidence, King said.

Bryles initially was listed in satisfactory condition, said Bobby Beeman, OMC communications and public affairs manager.

The alleged shooter, David Speidel, 30, of Sequim, was arrested without incident after reporting the shooting to police, King said.

Speidel subsequently was taken to the Clallam County jail where he was booked on a single count of first-degree assault.

Sheriff’s detectives anticipate additional charges as the investigation continues, King said.

The shooting happened just before 5 a.m. at Bryles’ residence in the 100 block of Lake Aldwell Road, King said.

Detectives with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by Port Angeles Police detectives, were dispatched to the residence after PenCom dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call from Speidel saying he had shot a man in self-defense and was holding him at gunpoint, King said.

King said Speidel was armed with a 9mm handgun and wearing a ghille suit and ballistic flak jacket when law enforcement arrived.

Speidel “held Bryles at gunpoint until the arrival of deputies and then the dispatcher — as the deputies arrived — told him to put the gun down,” King said.

Bryles had sustained a single gunshot wound to the buttocks and was transported by medics to the hospital.

During the ensuing investigation, detectives learned that Speidel had gone to the Lake Aldwell address in search of Bryles whom he suspected of slashing his vehicle’s tires, King said.

The slashing incident “was reported to us late (Wednesday) night,” and a deputy had been assigned to contact Speidel on Thursday, July 21, prior to the shooting, King said.

King gave this account of the encounter between the two men.

King said Speidel reportedly had contacted other owners in the area while brandishing a firearm and demanding Bryles’ location.

Speidel eventually found Bryles’ cabin and knocked on the door while announcing he was a police officer, King said.

Bryles answered the door and was met by Speidel, King said, who pointed a 9mm semi-automatic handgun at him.

Bryles, who was unarmed, King said, attempted to flee.

“It takes him several moments before he realizes, hey, this isn’t police,” King said, “and bolts from the front door and back into the house when he is shot in the behind.”

A second firearm, believed to be Bryles’, also was recovered by detectives at the residence, King said.

Chris McDaniel is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or at cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.