CLARKSTON, WA – “Scared, intimidated, and nervous.” Those are the words used by three juvenile boys to describe how they felt after they were allegedly threatened by a man in his 30s yesterday afternoon. That man, later identified as 34-year-old Zachary Dole of Clarkston, reportedly lifted his shirt to show what officials believe was a 9mm handgun on the right side of his waistband.
Police dispatchers received a call for suspicious activity at around 4:17 p.m. Three juveniles were reported riding their scooters while wearing masks, and when confronted by the anonymous reporting party, they claimed “they were doing business,” court documents state.
An Asotin County Sheriff’s deputy found the boys at 14th and Chestnut. Because they were not doing anything illegal, the deputy cautioned them about being in the street. When asked why they were wearing masks, the boys reportedly said it was “just their style,” a Probable Cause Affidavit says.
The deputy was again dispatched to the area a short time later, and the juveniles proceeded to tell him about an alleged assault that had happened earlier in the 600 block of 14th Street.
As a result of an investigation, Dole was charged with three counts of Harrassment-Threats to Kill and one count of Assault in the 4th Degree. He was booked into the Asotin County Jail at 5:45 p.m. Court documents say he allegedly got off his motorcycle, grabbed one of the boys, and asked why he was wearing a mask. Dole also allegedly grabbed him by the face and eyes.
During this contact, the affidavit says Dole brandished a firearm and threatened to kill the juveniles.
“[The boy] pushed himself back and the guy then lifted up his shirt, said “I will blow your brain out”, then drove off,” the affidavit says
That juvenile reported that he did not see a firearm, but the two other boys reportedly told an Asotin County Sheriff’s deputy that they did see what one described as a “glock gun,” the document adds. The boy also mentioned that the alleged perpetrator was missing teeth.
Meanwhile, a woman who was driving by told the deputy that she witnessed a male subject in his 30s “fighting with the boys, and acting angry,” the affidavit says. “She told me that she saw the person on the bike make some loops after the assault and stopped to warn the boys. She told me that was when they told her that he had a gun.”
One of the boys obtained a photograph of the alleged perpetrator, and the deputy was reportedly able to read his motorcycle’s license plate partially. The photo also reportedly showed the individual wearing gray shoes and black socks.
The deputy and another law enforcement officer searched for the motorcycle and found one matching the description in the 600 block of 14th Street.
Dole reportedly came out of his home, and the deputies explained why they were there. He handed them his driver’s license and concealed weapons permit.
“I asked him if he had any guns, and he said they were locked in the house. I did remember being dispatched to this house, about a year ago [when] Zachary had a firearm,” according to the affidavit. “I asked Zachary if he had chased the kids down on his motorcycle. He told me that he did not. He told me that he did go out looking for them.”
When the deputy inquired why Dole reportedly was searching for the juveniles, he reportedly said his “friend” had called law enforcement earlier regarding masked kids riding in the street.
“I asked why would I arrest the kids as wearing a mask is not illegal,” the affidavit says. “I could also smell an odor consistent with consumed alcohol coming from Zachary as he spoke.”
Dole told the deputies that he did not make contact with the juveniles and that they were “just saying this to get even with him, for the police being called on them,” according to the court document.
“I told him that a lady, who does not know them or him, also witnessed the assault,” the court document says. “I looked at the picture that was sent on my phone from [one of the juveniles], and I could see that Zachary had changed clothes, except he was still wearing the same shoes and socks.”
“I showed him the picture and he said ya that is me,” the deputy states in the affidavit. “I did also check and Zachary does have a 9mm gun registered to him. I also looked at the call from a year ago, and Zachary pulled the gun from his waistband in that call, the same place it was this time.”
At that time, Dole was placed under arrest.
