Community mourns senseless shooting death of local man

Just 23, Doug Gunter was by all accounts someone who had life figured out.

If only the man suspected of shooting and killing him in Burlington last Friday had lived by Gunter’s example.

It was compassion and empathy, according to those who knew him best, that were the main currencies in which Gunter took stock, leaving those with whom he crossed paths all the richer for the experience.

In a life ended much too soon, they say Gunter was especially kind to and respectful of those elders he encountered each day on Swinomish Reservation.

Having already met and successfully overcome his own personal challenges, Gunter often championed the underdog, they say, taking time when possible to console those he knew to be weighed down by daily cares and concerns.

“He was a great person,” said one Swinomish Tribal Community employee, who also knew Gunter as a friend. “He was one of those people who would never do anything bad to anyone else. He always said ‘hi’ and hugged every elder he came across. I’ve never seen him without a smile, either. His positivity, smile and hugs will be greatly missed by many.”

Gunter had recently begun work at Swinomish Casino. He was into cars and sports. He was said to have been in Burlington to play football with a friend.

This week Gunter’s family members and many local friends gathered to pay their final respects to the young man known fondly on both sides of Swinomish Channel as “Dougie Doug.”

It was a long procession of vehicles that escorted Gunter’s body to Swinomish Reservation on Monday for an evening prayer service so well attended that it was held in the Tribal Community Gymnasium rather than its Social Services Building.

“There’s not enough road. There are cars for miles for my baby brother,” his sister, recently elected La Conner School Board member Marlys Baker, said in a social media post Monday afternoon, as Gunter was brought home to Swinomish.

“The love and prayers and offerings that have been given are much appreciated,” Baker added.

Law enforcement officials believe Gunter was the victim of a random act of violence.

Authorities say Gunter had pulled into the parking lot of a convenience store as 19-year-old Christian Flores of Sedro-Woolley was leaving the building. Their investigation indicates Flores had allegedly told an ex-girlfriend that if she didn’t meet with him that he would kill an innocent person.

Flores is suspected of pulling a gun from his shorts and firing through the window of Gunter’s car. Gunter died from his injuries.

Security video footage shows Flores’ vehicle leaving the scene. It was later found at an apartment complex nearby. From there, he is thought to have left with a man whom he had asked for a ride.

Flores has been charged in Skagit County Superior Court with first-degree pre-meditated murder and as of Monday night was the subject of a nationwide arrest warrant.