A Snohomish County man has filed a federal complaint against the county over his neighbor’s residential shooting range.
Christian Volkle of Granite Falls said he has heard gunshots for almost two years.
“I’m experiencing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression, and it increases every time the shooting occurs,” he said.
Volkle purchased his retirement home on Crooked Mile Road in unincorporated Granite Falls more than three years ago.
After living in his new home for less than a year, he said his neighbor created a shooting range, located about 50 feet from his property.
His family suffered hearing loss after shots were fired without any warning, he said, adding that he is also worried about the possibility of lead from the bullets leaking into groundwater.
“I measured over 120 decibels, which is the equivalent of standing next to a jet engine on an airport tarmac or in front of a loudspeaker at a rock concert,” he said. “Lead is highly toxic. It leaches very easily. It contaminates groundwater. I’m worried about the quality of my well water that I will have here in the future.”
Volkle, also a gun owner, filed a federal complaint against the Snohomish County Council after the county failed to help him, he said.
“I want to see the shooting stop, period,” he said.
He did not talk to the neighbor out of fear for his safety, Volkle added.
“I am extremely angry. The people we voted for and hired to protect us and paid for as citizens of this county are ignoring this issue,” he told KIRO 7 News.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office tells KIRO 7 News that unincorporated Granite Falls is a legal shooting area.
KIRO 7 News spoke with his neighbor, Christian Betzold.
“I would have loved it if he came to talk to me, but I understand he might have some reservations,” he said.
Betzold said he bought his home largely to safely practice shooting on his property.
He told KIRO 7 News he hopes to never have to use his gun, “but if I do, it will be extremely proficient, extremely safe, extremely responsible. And so, all the training I do, which I believe is very safe and responsible training, is with that in mind.”
Betzold learned of his neighbor’s concerns last week, he shared.
“This has made me very worried and sad because I want to make sure I am a good neighbor. I am a responsible neighbor. I immediately talked to my wife. We stopped filming and stuff like that that day. I haven’t shot since,” he said.
Betzold said he would like to speak with Volkle about his concerns and offer him the opportunity to inspect the field to make sure he feels safe.
“If he wants me to give him a heads up before filming, always like 30 minutes warning so he knows what’s going to happen, or things like that, I would be more than happy to do that,” he shared. “I want to be a really good, responsible neighbor, but I also want to make sure I’m taking my responsibility as a firearms owner seriously and continuing to be safe and effective.”
The Snohomish County Council said it cannot comment on an active lawsuit.
