BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Bellingham Police Department had an interesting encounter with an armed person in downtown Bellingham.

Bellingham Police (BPD) received a report of a man allegedly spitting on another man near downtown a little after 6 p.m. Tuesday evening. BPD spokesperson Megan Peters said officers learned that the victim had let his dogs out when the suspect came up behind him yelling.

The victim said the suspect turned his attention towards him, yelling, spitting and threatening the victim verbally and brandishing a machete.

Officers found the suspect identified as Timothy Franklin. While officers said Franklin was cooperative initially, he soon tried to run away when they attempted to arrest him. As the suspect ran, a loaded flare gun fell from under Franklin’s clothes.

Officers then took him into custody, charging Franklin for possessing a firearm as a felon and other probable cause charges.