EVERETT — Four young men agreed to meet early Monday in an alley near Clark Park to exchange money and marijuana.

Both sides were armed.

One 18-year-old was killed at the scene, and another was seriously wounded. The men who were shot reportedly had tried to rob the dealer.

The teen who died was identified by authorities Tuesday as John M. Muhlstein. He is the son of Julie Muhlstein, a longtime columnist at The Daily Herald.

He succumbed to a gunshot wound to the chest, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The suspected marijuana seller, a 22-year-old Kenmore man, was being held Tuesday on suspicion of drug trafficking. He told police that he shot the men. At this point, he is not accused of a crime in connection with the death. The investigation is ongoing, prosecutors said.

Bail was set at $10,000 because of the allegations that “he’s dealing drugs armed with a firearm, and he shot someone,” Everett District Court Judge Anthony Howard said.

The Kenmore man has no history of legal trouble except for traffic tickets, said his defense attorney, Paul Thompson, who had asked for the man’s release.

He allegedly was looking to unload 2.25 pounds of marijuana for $3,000, according to the arrest report. Another 22-year-old reportedly was driving him to the sale.

They pulled into the alley off Lombard Avenue about 1:30 a.m. They later told police they were supposed to meet with a man named “John” and another 18-year-old.

The Kenmore man alleges that one of the teens pistol-whipped him while the other pointed a gun at the driver. The Kenmore man reportedly got out of the car, and the driver accelerated.

The Kenmore man claims that the teens were chasing him when he opened fire.

Everett officers happened to be a couple of blocks away for an unrelated incident. They heard four or five gunshots and were at the scene moments later.

They detained both 22-year-olds and called for paramedics to help the wounded man. He is expected to survive gunshot wounds to his shoulder and torso. An update on his condition was not available Tuesday.

John Muhlstein grew up in Everett and attended local schools.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @rikkiking.