Investigation into Port Angeles death continues

PORT ANGELES — The investigation into the killing of Robert Fowler of Port Angeles in June remains open and active, said Deputy Chief Brian Smith.

The 63-year-old man was allegedly fatally shot by his neighbor, Bobby Smith, 58, while in Smith’s home June 20.

Bobby Smith was not arrested in connection with the shooting. He has not been charged with a crime.

According to initial reports, Bobby Smith phoned dispatchers at 1:25 p.m. June 20 to say he had been involved in a shooting with a neighbor.

Fowler lived next door to Smith at 209 E. Vashon Ave.

“We’re actively working the case,” Deputy Chief Smith said, saying that all five detectives and several officers on the police force have worked on it.

State Patrol helps

The State Patrol also assisted.

“It’s a major investigation,” Deputy Chief Smith said.

“We reach out as wide as we need to to complete the investigation.”

Deputy Chief Smith said the department is lacking some of the ballistic and forensic test results from the State Crime Lab, “which is pretty normal in a case like this.”

He also said the department is working closely with the Clallam County prosecuting attorney.

Karla Pennington, Fowler’s fiancee, said he had moved to Port Angeles about a year and a half ago from Salem, Ore.

They were planning to wed within a couple of months, she said.

“I was used to talking to him every day, and now I don’t have that anymore,” she said.

“He was a wonderful guy.”

More in News

Port Townsend Main Street Program volunteers, from left, Amy Jordan, Gillian Amas and Sue Authur, and Main Street employees, Sasha Landes, on the ladder, and marketing director Eryn Smith, spend a rainy morning decorating the community Christmas tree at the Haller Fountain on Wednesday. The tree will be lit at 4 p.m. Saturday following Santa’s arrival by the Kiwanis choo choo train. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Decoration preparation

Port Townsend Main Street Program volunteers, from left, Amy Jordan, Gillian Amas… Continue reading

Port Angeles approves balanced $200M budget

City investing in savings for capital projects

Olympic Medical Center Board President Ann Henninger, left, recognizes commissioner Jean Hordyk on Wednesday as she steps down after 30 years on the board. Hordyk, who was first elected in 1995, was honored during the meeting. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
OMC Commissioners to start recording meetings

Video, audio to be available online

Jefferson PUD plans to keep Sims Way project overhead

Cost significantly reduced in joint effort with port, city

Committee members sought for ‘For’ and ‘Against’ statements

The Clallam County commissioners are seeking county residents to… Continue reading

Christopher Thomsen, portraying Santa Claus, holds a corgi mix named Lizzie on Saturday at the Airport Garden Center in Port Angeles. All proceeds from the event were donated to the Peninsula Friends of Animals. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Santa Paws

Christopher Thomsen, portraying Santa Claus, holds a corgi mix named Lizzie on… Continue reading

Peninsula lawmakers await budget

Gov. Ferguson to release supplemental plan this month

Clallam County looks to pass deficit budget

Agency sees about 7 percent rise over 2025 in expenditures

Officer testifies bullet lodged in car’s pillar

Witness says she heard gunfire at Port Angeles park

A copper rockfish caught as part of a state Department of Fish and Wildlife study in 2017. The distended eyes resulted from a pressure change as the fish was pulled up from a depth of 250 feet. (David B. Williams)
Author to highlight history of Puget Sound

Talk at PT Library to cover naming, battles, tribes

Vern Frykholm, who has made more than 500 appearances as George Washington since 2012, visits with Dave Spencer. Frykholm and 10 members of the New Dungeness Chapter, NSDAR, visited with about 30 veterans on Nov. 8, just ahead of Veterans Day. (New Dungeness Chapter DAR)
New Dungeness DAR visits veterans at senior facilities

Members of the New Dungeness Chapter, National Society Daughters of… Continue reading

Festival of Trees contest.
Contest: Vote for your favorite tree online

Olympic Medical Center Foundation’s Festival of Trees event goes through Dec. 25