Anacortes, Washington, is grappling with the shock of a tragic incident that left two people dead in what police have confirmed as a likely murder‑suicide. Officers were dispatched at 6:24 a.m. on March 10, 2026, after a report of gunfire in the 1400 block of K Avenue, a residential area just north of downtown. Responding officers arrived quickly and secured the scene as they entered the home to assess the situation.
Inside the residence, officers discovered a 57‑year‑old woman, later identified as Mitzi McMinn Flournoy, and a 61‑year‑old man, both deceased from gunshot wounds. Police determined that the shooting occurred shortly before the 911 call was made. Early findings indicate that the man shot Flournoy before turning the gun on himself, consistent with a murder‑suicide scenario.
Other individuals who lived in the home were found unharmed, and officers ensured they were safely removed as the investigation began. The residence, owned by Bruce and Mitzi Flournoy, was cordoned off while detectives processed the scene. Police temporarily closed K Avenue between 14th and 15th streets to allow investigators and the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab to work without interruption.
Detectives spent the morning gathering ballistic evidence, documenting the interior of the home, and interviewing witnesses. The Skagit County Coroner also responded to assist with the investigation, and full reports are pending. Authorities emphasized that the incident was contained within the home and that there was no ongoing threat to the public.
The Anacortes School District issued a notice advising drivers to avoid the area due to the active police presence, underscoring the scale of the response. Neighbors expressed shock that such violence occurred in their quiet residential community, noting that the early‑morning police activity drew significant attention as investigators worked to reconstruct the events leading up to the shooting.
As the investigation continues, the deaths of Mitzi McMinn Flournoy and the 61‑year‑old man have left the community mourning and searching for answers. Authorities are expected to release additional details once the coroner’s report is complete. For now, residents are left reflecting on the fragility of life and the profound impact of the tragedy on those who lived in the home and the surrounding neighborhood.