A South Aberdeen man accused of firing his gun in his neighborhood, then engaging police in an 18-hour standoff in February will spend a total of 90 days in jail.
Michael Watson, 54, pleaded guilty to first-degree unlawful display of a laser and unlawful display of a weapon.
He was sentenced as a first-time offender, which carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail but allows a full year of community custody.
According to court documents, a neighbor heard gunshots at about 8 p.m. Feb. 25. He went outside to find Watson waiving a hand gun on the street, shining a green laser pointer around, shouting, “I am a warrior of God.”
The neighbor reported Watson pointed the gun in the air, fired three more shots, then waived the laser pointer toward houses, saying “I am a warrior of God. I decide who will die,” court documents state.
Watson had gone back into his house in the 2000 block of Harding Road by the time police arrived. Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office Deputy Tracy Gay watched his movements through a scope on his rifle, while Aberdeen Police Department Corporal Casey Wagonblast watched the rear of the house.
Wagonblast “could see a laser light moving from window to window and moving erratically, coursing over the various officers positioned at the rear of the house,” documents state.
Watson appeared to be wandering the house, turning lights on and off. From the front, Gay saw him point his gun and the laser at Aberdeen officers.
Police surrounded the home for 18 hours before Watson surrendered peacefully at about 2:15 p.m. Feb. 26.
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