Teen arrested in boy's killing; Bellingham 8-year-old was found in field

BELLINGHAM — A neighborhood known for its manicured lawns, tire swings and chalked hopscotch outlines was rocked yesterday by news that an 8-year-old boy had been found dead in a nearby field and that a 16-year-old boy who lives near the victim had been arrested as the suspected killer.

Michael Busby, a second-grader at Columbia Elementary School, went out to play in the neighborhood about 4 p.m. Thursday. When he didn't return by 7 p.m., his parents called police and an intensive search began, involving county search-and-rescue teams, tracking dogs and volunteers, said Bellingham police Lt. Dac Jamison.

Michael's body was discovered just after 10 a.m. yesterday by a woman walking her dog in an undeveloped field along Squalicum Way, next to Pacific Concrete Industries, a cement plant, Jamison said. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Police asked the FBI for forensics help and investigators combed the industrial area piled with dirt and gravel yesterday for clues.

After witnesses reported seeing Michael on Thursday in the field with the 16-year-old, police arrested the teen at a local high school yesterday afternoon, said Bellingham Police Chief Randy Carroll. The boy is expected to be charged as an adult for aggravated murder and kidnapping, he said.

"This was not just a random incident," Carroll said. "This community is a safe community."

Carroll wouldn't identify the suspect but said he had a criminal record.

Police were stationed outside the suspect's home yesterday evening waiting for a search warrant to be finalized, Carroll said. And late yesterday, a pickup was towed from the house.

"I've talked with the victim's parents and offered them support, and then I went to the suspect's home and spoke to a parent there and offered support," Carroll said. "It's a very devastating situation for them both."

The families live on opposite corners of the same intersection.

Neighbors stood in their yards yesterday, consoling one another and watching their children riding bicycles.

"It's frightening to not only deal with a loss yourself, but to have to explain to a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old why their friend can't come and play," said Lisa Brogan, who lives at the same intersection.

Carla Rood, who also lives in the neighborhood, said she saw Michael follow the 16-year-old into his back yard Thursday afternoon.

"My instinct was to yell to Mikey to come back. But I didn't," said Rood, adding that the suspect is known in the neighborhood as a problem youth.

Michael was a friend of Rood's daughter, and he often came to her house for an afternoon snack.

"Every afternoon, I fed him," she said. "He always asked, 'Do you have any red licorice?' "

At Columbia Elementary yesterday, counselors and psychologists were on hand to talk with teachers, parents and students, said Kenn Robinson, director of student services for Bellingham public schools.

Michael, whose family had moved from the Kent area about two months ago, was already well-liked at the school.

"It's a tragedy," he said. "Michael had been here a short time, but kids at this age make friends pretty quickly. It's been a pretty hard, tough day here."

Bellingham Mayor Mark Asmundson grew up in the Columbia Elementary School neighborhood.

"This is a horrid day," Asmundson said. "But it's not a reflection of what our town is like. Our town is a wonderful family place. We don't have any kids to spare."

Gina Kim can be reached at 206-464-2761 or gkim@seattletimes.com