By Pepper Fisher
SEQUIM – The Sequim man, who last week fired gunshots at a female neighbor before he himself was shot in the hand with his own weapon, had his first appearance in court Monday, where bail was set at $5 million.
66-year-old James Luoma was released from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Friday after having his thumb shot off on Wednesday, April 27. He’s now facing an attempted murder charge for firing several rounds from a Glock 9mm handgun at his neighbor, a 49-year-old woman. She was not hit, but was hurt in a struggle that resulted in the man being shot when he grabbed the gun after she had wrestled it from him.
A police report says the woman was in the process of getting a protection order against Luoma, saying he had been coming into her house, touching her, and saying he wanted to have a romantic relationship with her, which she did not want.
The woman told police that Luoma was jealous that she had a boyfriend, describing her relationship with Luoma as a caregiver friendship.
Luoma told investigators he was angry, suicidal and felt betrayed after giving the woman $140,000 because he loved her, describing himself as a sugar daddy. He also said he was not surprised she got the gun away from him because she was a “tough lady”.
Sequim Police Officer Maris Larsen says in her report that she believes Luoma’s interview constituted to an admission of attempted pre-meditated murder.