Sequim Gazette staff

A 54-year-old Sequim man was arrested and booked into jail on a series of charges from a series of incidents on Jan. 7.

Daniel G. Gockerell, 54, was arrested for two counts of third degree assault, resisting arrest, fourth degree assault (domestic violence), third degree malicious mischief (domestic violence), harassment (domestic violence), felon in possession of an unlawful firearm and attempt to disarm a law enforcement officer.

According to a Clallam County Sheriff’s Office report, at about 6:40 a.m. on Jan. 7, Clallam County dispatch received a call that a silver Dodge minivan had crashed into the front of Thomas Building Supply in Sequim and minutes later received a call from a resident on the 900 block of Belfield Avenue that a silver minivan had driven through a yard and run into a fence.

Deputy Brandon Stoppani and Sequim Police Officers Rick Larsen and Randy Kellas arrived on scene and attempted to contact the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Gockerell.

Gockerell then reportedly broke a window and ran into the house. After Gockerell was told he was under arrest, he threatened the officers, saying he had a gun, according to the report.

Officers, reported hearing “yelling” and “smashing” from inside the house, according to the sheriff’s office. Gockerell the ran out the back door of the house and into a nearby shed. According to the report, Gockerell punched Stoppani in the head.

Gockerell eventually was subdued and arrested after a struggle; officers used a Taser when Gockerell resisted.

After being restrained, Gockerell made threats to a family member.

According to the report, a family member told deputies that Gockerell kept a firearm in the shed. Following the arrest, officers found several firearms in the shed.  

According to sheriff’s office sources, Gockerell punched a woman in the head prior to being arrested.

The woman was examined by medics on scene and was transported to Olympic Medical Center for a medical examination and treatment of her injury.

Gockerell was then transported to the Sequim Police Department. While Deputy Matt Murphy was attempting to adjust the restraints, the sheriff’s office report notes, Gockerell attempted to disarm Murphy and take his gun. Gockerell was again restrained and then transported to jail.

During the struggle, Murphy’s hand was cut. Murphy received stitches at Olympic Medical Center.

The case remains open; it has been referred to the Clallam County Prosecutor for consideration of several formal charges.