Several victims’ names confirmed
Email | Print | 7296 views Elliott Wilson | Skagit Valley Herald
September 03, 2008 - 11:16 PM
Last Updated: September 11, 2008 - 08:20 AM

Frank Varga

A bouquet of flowers is set at the intersection of Alger CCC Road and Cain Lake Road expressing sympathy for the victims of a shooting and stabbing rampage Tuesday afternoon.

Mount Vernon resident Greg Gillum, 38, was one of two construction workers killed Tuesday in a shooting rampage that left five others dead and four more wounded, his family confirmed Wednesday.

“I know that I am not the only one that has a loss,” Debra Winblad, Gillum’s mother, said by phone Wednesday. “I knew there were going to be a lot of people devastated by this, but I did not know that I was going to be one of them.”

The other construction worker killed at the Alger job site was David Radcliffe, 58, of Clear Lake, according to Gillum’s family and a friend of the Radcliffe family.

It was Radcliffe’s truck that suspect Isaac Zamora was driving when he fled pursuing officers south on Interstate 5 before being taken into custody in the parking lot of the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office in downtown Mount Vernon, officials said.

During that chase, Leroy Lange, a 64-year-old man from Methow in North Central Washington, was shot to death as he drove in a southbound lane on the interstate. Officials confirmed his identity Wednesday afternoon.

He was shot while driving his 2008 Honda CRV south on the interstate near the Bow Hill rest stop, officials said.

Lange and slain Skagit County Sheriff’s Deputy Anne Jackson are the only two officially confirmed victims. The deaths of Gillum and Radcliffe were confirmed by family members and friends. Mike Adkinson of Bellingham, a close friend of Radcliffe’s, said Wednesday that the victim’s family had been informed of his death.

Two others killed in the same Alger neighborhood on Silver Creek and Bridle drives have yet to be publicly identified.

Winblad said she only received official confirmation Wednesday afternoon that both men were killed in the shooting spree that began on Silver Creek Drive in Alger and spanned seven crime scenes and several hours.

“All I know was he was at his construction site, and he got shot and killed,” Winblad said of her son. “… We have not seen him. We do not know where he is.”

Gillum, who worked for Radcliffe’s construction business, was working with him at a residence in Alger Tuesday, Winblad said.

Greg Gillum had two children, Ryan and Megan Gillum, who live with their mother and Greg Gillum’s ex-wife, Joanne Gillum, in California, Winblad said. He had a twin brother and five other siblings, said Winblad.

“They are fraternal, but they look identical,” she said. “In fact we called Jeff, Greg twice today.”

“He is my twin and every time I look in the mirror I see him,” said Jeff Gillum, his fraternal twin brother who lived with him in a Mount Vernon trailer park.

“We had fun switching classes,” Jeff Gillum said of their childhood. “It was fun being a twin.”

Brian Gillum, 40, the older brother of the fraternal twins, lives nearby.

Winblad first learned that her son may have been a victim Tuesday evening when she received an anxious call from Brian’s wife, who had heard on the news that two construction workers had been killed.

Through the evening and into the early morning hours, Winblad and her family feared that Greg Gillum was one of the two workers reported dead.

“I figured it was no big thing, he will be home,” Jeff Gillum said. “It is not like him to not come home or to call.”

But on Wednesday afternoon, the family’s fear was confirmed.

“We called the police and the coroner,” Winblad said by phone Wednesday. “… Nobody could give us any information until 2 o’clock today.”

“I am in denial that I lost my first child,” she said. “I am numb.”

Greg Gillum was born in Upland, Calif. He moved to the area two years ago and began working with Radcliffe, she said

“He did not particularly want to work construction,” his mother said. “He had ideas of going into something more technical.”

He was likable, loving, funny and kept his house clean, said his mother, who saw him for the last time when he stopped by her office.

Jeff Gillum, who also does construction work, said the brothers’ passion was golf. The twins and Brian Gillum often golfed in Sedro-Woolley and plan to spread some of Greg Gillum’s ashes there.

• Elliott Wilson can be reached at 360-416-2147 or at .

Law enforcement asks anyone who may have may have information about the slayings to call the investigations tip line at 360-419-3257.

Victims of Tuesday’s rampage:
Six killed:
• Sheriff’s Deputy Anne Jackson, 40, responding to a trespasser complaint
• Leroy Lange, a 64-year-old motorist from Methow, shot and killed on Interstate 5.
• Two construction workers: Greg Gillum, 38, of Mount Vernon and David Radcliffe, 58, of Clear Lake, confirmed by friends and family
• A 48-year-old woman, whose identity has not yet been confirmed
• A male whose identity hasn’t been confirmed

Four injured:
• Trooper Troy Giddings, shot in the arm
• A 56-year-old man, who is married to the 48-year-old woman who died.
• A 61-year-old man, who had at least two stab wounds to the chest
• A 37-year-old Bow man riding a motorcycle, shot in the arm






More Local News

Top Jobs

Youth Center Staff Supervisor The Swinomish Tribal Community Recreation/ Prevention Department is looking for a dynamic and competent individual who is experienced as a Youth Center Staff Supervisor. The Youth Center Supervisor plans, and does the total duties of a Prevention/Recreation Assistant. This position provides leadership to the other assistants when the Coordinator is out of the office. The Swinomish Tribal Community is a positive and friendly work environment. This is a full-time position with full health insurance benefits. Salary is DOQ. Request a Swinomish Tribal Community application and Job Description by calling 360-466-1216 or e-mail wbill@swinomish.nsn.us. Return cover letter, resume, and application to Wayne Bill, Human Resource Director as soon as possible. Send application packet to; Swinomish Tribal Community, Human Resource Office, 11404 Moorage Way, LaConner, WA. 98257


STYLIST for AVEDA SALON AND SPA. Commission. 1019 Cleveland St., MV 336-2985


PROGRAM MANAGER developmentally disabled adults. Responsible for the overall day-to-day functioning of this supported living program. The Manager participates in hiring staff, training staff, scheduling of staff. BA or equiv plus 2 yrs working with the people we serve in a residential setting. At least 2-3 yrs. experience as a supervisor + direct service. Volunteers of America Western Washington is a private non-profit human service agency serving the disabled in Skagit County. Come be a part of what we do and make a difference every day. EEO/AA If you wish to apply for this position, send a resume to bdavis@voaww.org or come to 1934 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.


LIVE-IN CAREGIVER. Room and board furnished. Clean, cook, secretarial, farm management. Integrity required. 360-873-9600


FARMERS INSURANCE AGENT We are looking for career motivated people to join our team. Join our team full time or train while you keep your current job to ensure a comfortable transition into the industry. Take advantage of top notch training, unlimited income potential, and the flexibility our company offers. Call Michael Dame at (360) 714 8117 x204 or email resume to mdame@farmersagent.com


Housekeeping/Laundry Experience preferred but will also train. Must be available days, weekends and holidays. $10.50 - $12.50 DOQ Join our team and enjoy a full complement of benefits including medical and life insurance at no charge to the employee, dental, paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays, and a 401K plan. Must be able to pass a background check and a 90 day drug screen. For more info., please contact Human Resources at 360-724-0265 or visit our website: www.theskagit.com Human Resources Hours: M-F, 8am to 5pm Directions: North or southbound - Take I-5 to Exit 236


Established medical office seeks Medical Records Clerk/Receptionist. Must be flex. Position also covers sick & vacation days. You must have computer, customer service and professional telephone skills. Applicant must be neat in appearance, pleasant, reliable, organized, energetic and able to multi-task. Previous medical exp. is helpful but not nec. Send resume to: bonniec-mvwc @verizon.net or File #676 c/o Skagit Valley Herald, PO Box 578, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.


REFINERY OPERATOR Tesoro is currently seeking to fill the position of Refinery Operator at its Anacortes facility. An Operator monitors and controls refinery process equipment while working a rotating 12-hour shift, often outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. This can be a physically/mentally challenging job requiring mechanical ability and a basic understanding of physical sciences and chemistry. In addition, candidates must possess a positive work ethic, good communications and teamworking skills and have the willingness to take personal responsibility for the safety of themselves and others. Along with a dynamic work environment, Tesoro offers an excellent compensation and benefits package. Starting wage will be $21.38 per hour that will initially increase to $25.59 after successful completion of training. Employment applications (one application per person) can be obtained at the Work Source Skagit, 2005 E. College Way, in Mount Vernon during the hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on November 24, 25, and 30, 2009, or until a maximum of 300 applications has been distributed. No applications will be faxed or mailed. You must apply in person. All applicants will be tested on Saturday, December 5, 2009, for basic skills and aptitude. Additional information will be provided with the application. Telephone inquiries and mail-in applications will not be accepted. Successful candidates for employment will be required to pass a substance abuse screening (drug and alcohol), physical agility tests, and complete a physical exam. Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company 10200 W. March Point Rd. Anacortes, WA 98221 Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V