FOLLOWUP: Shooting suspect released; prosecutors to decide on charges later

4:23 PM: As noted in our Monday coverage, today was the day by which the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office had to file charges against the suspect in Saturday’s double shooting, in order for him to remain in custody. We’ve just received word that charges are not being filed today, so the 25-year-old suspect will be released. This, according to KCPAO spokesperson Dan Donohoe, is “pending ongoing investigation. A decision regarding charges will be made at a later date.”

The shooting early Saturday at 23rd SW and SW Willow left a 24-year-old man dead and a 34-year-old man seriously wounded; the suspect was arrested at his home about half a mile away several hours later. Probable-cause documents made public in connection with the suspect’s bail hearing on Monday had said the man who died, his brother, and the suspect were embroiled in a years-long dispute over a $200 debt and had met at the scene early Saturday for what was maybe going to be some kind of fight – and then came the deadly gunfire.

LATE-NIGHT UPDATE: The King County Jail Register confirms that the release happened around 9:20 pm.

26 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: Shooting suspect released; prosecutors to decide on charges later"

  • db October 28, 2015 (4:47 pm)

    I guess that one million dollar bail was only good for two days….how is this possible when this person is quite likely a danger to our community?

    • WSB October 28, 2015 (4:53 pm)

      The bail set at the first hearing is based only on the judge’s decision on whether there is probable cause for the person to be held – it’s not unusual for bail to be reduced at a subsequent hearing, or sometimes increased. But for the prosecutor to file charges, they have to believe that they have enough evidence for the person to be convicted. Some of that evidence may take a while to process – ballistics tests, for example.
      .
      (Added to clarify – that is just a general comment from decades of being a journalist, NOT a specific comment on this specific case – we have no further info on what figured into the prosecuting attorney’s decision today, only what we have cited/quoted in the story above.)

  • Admiral mom October 28, 2015 (5:18 pm)

    Just WOW

  • Be Safe Out There October 28, 2015 (5:23 pm)

    I’m hesitant to post this comment but reading the first comment makes me want to; although it may come across somewhat controversial…
    I am a neighbor of the suspect and his family. He is also known to me at my workplace. Obviously if he is found guilty of this crime then he should pay the maximum consequence. There is no compensation for loss of life but loved ones deserve every opportunity of justice to feel at minimal peace.
    As far as thinking that he is a general threat to our safety I would like to communicate that while I did not know him as whatever he may have been on the “street”, for the last 3+ years I can say that he has been a fine neighbor. He’s an adult, but to me, still a kid, and obviously capable of making detrimental and perhaps deadly choices, I’m going to say that my opinion is that he is not a general danger to the community at large. If this helps anyone in the general vicinity – just my opinion. But one thing we should all pay attention to – these kids have guns. They are armed. I wasn’t surprised necessarily, to hear that this house had gunS, but I need the reminder and so do we all.
    Be safe out there!

  • SY October 28, 2015 (5:43 pm)

    Sorry , Be Safe. Kids with guns are automatically a general danger to the community at large.

  • WS Newbie October 28, 2015 (6:02 pm)

    200 dollars is the going rate for two lives? We lost a lot more collectively with the hit to image, crime rate, and sense of security.

  • Mary S October 28, 2015 (6:41 pm)

    “And for what? For a little bit of money. There’s more to life than a little money, you know. Don’tcha know that? And here ya are, and it’s a beautiful day. Well. I just don’t understand it.” – Marge Gunderson

  • Michael October 28, 2015 (7:59 pm)

    this is so stupid i know the whole story, the brothers dropped there “dispute” with the shooter years ago its the shooter that has held a grudge against the brothers, and now will be walking the streets for possible revenge, thank you Seattle court systems for putting a killer who executed my friend in cold blood back on the street.

  • Puzzled October 28, 2015 (9:31 pm)

    ….A kid? At what arbitrary age then does he magically become a responsible “adult’? “Kids” suck their thumbs and cry over spilled milk. He’s a young adult who willfully took a life. …Just my opinion.

  • That's BS October 28, 2015 (9:36 pm)

    if there was enough info to arrest him and set a bail of that amount, there is enough info to keep his ass there! I couldn’t care less how cool he seemed to be for a few years to anyone…the justice system at its best once again. Smh

  • Wake up October 28, 2015 (10:00 pm)

    If they did not charge this young man maybe just maybe it was self defense ? Car full of men of all ages pull up to fight just him and he gets scared and pulls out a gun to protect his self ??

    • WSB October 28, 2015 (10:48 pm)

      WU, the probable-cause documentation from Monday’s hearing said police were told that the suspect was “apparently with four or five other males” and said witnesses reported seeing “two groups” before the gunfire. But keep in mind that the probable-cause documentation is from an early stage of the investigation. Usually no further documents are made public until/unless someone is charged.

  • M October 29, 2015 (6:31 am)

    Didn’t he have a bunch of guns at home? I’m assuming they weren’t legally obtained. Isn’t that enough to keep him in jail?

    • WSB October 29, 2015 (7:13 am)

      The probable-cause documents said guns were found in his house. It did not mention anything about whether they were legal or illegal, so there’s no reason to assume either way. As mentioned previously, he has no felony background, so owning/possessing a gun would not be illegal.

  • What?!?!?! October 29, 2015 (10:33 am)

    What?!?!?! There are multiple witnesses? This is real? This is a huge deal.

  • Rainbow in the dark October 29, 2015 (10:34 am)

    @wsnewbie: what is so wrong with you that you think the life lost (his name was Jerome) has no value? The reputation of your new community is all you care about? Shame on you.

  • JanS October 29, 2015 (4:52 pm)

    and…and…innocent until proven guilty…we are not jurors..

  • Bill.Nye October 29, 2015 (5:52 pm)

    You all sound despicable… very unfortunate that we can’t have structured, informative, and polished comment scroll. Instead we always have to have some sort of ranting session, bashing frenzy, or emotional theatrical. Sharpen up people, at least try to uphold the good name our West Seattle Blog has earned…

  • H October 29, 2015 (9:42 pm)

    Thank you JanS I agree, seems like WS has convinced this young man before any of us know the truth. To be safe out there also Thank you as well. Many people have guns in there home, in my line of work I see alot, not locked up and very visible. I am very surprised. We don’t know if this young man’s weapons where legal or not. The judge and jury will provide these answers in time. Until we get more facts we should not judge. My heart goes out to the family’s I’m so sorry for your loss. And pray for the other young man in hospital I hope you recover soon. It’s a tragedy to our community. It’s heartbreaking.

  • Heather October 31, 2015 (2:11 am)

    well this is dumbest thing I think i’ve ever heard, you release a man who not only killed a man an he tried to kill my man and you cant detain him permentally on that????? why does he deserve bail?????here my man lay with gun shot in the head!!Hey do you feel like a man now that you’ve taken a life.. people never care about how the victims family go on, or there own!!!!

  • H October 31, 2015 (8:20 am)

    Heather has convicted a man and with out all the facts. I pray you are not the one on jury panel. What happened to innocent until proven guilty. It’s seems everyone is jumping to conclusions with out facts. He might be guilty he might not. I love West Seattle but am realizing your becoming a lench mob before you learn the truth :(

  • Unknown October 31, 2015 (1:45 pm)

    To heather.

    If that’s your man that got hurt ask him why him and his 5 other friends pull up to the suspect and the suspects fiancĂ©? People always trying to judge someone and not knowing the truth and what really took place. The suspect is my friend and I know he wouldn’t do anything like that intentionally. So before you try and say keep him detained permanently, get the whole story first. Because you obviously don’t know nothing.

  • annamous November 2, 2015 (6:57 pm)

    I posted on here before and it was deleted. But all I have to say is I told you so. 5 on 1? The scary part is all of you could have been in his position! Now would you want to be in jail for the rest of your life for defending the life of you self and your family? To think this was a 5 year old grudge over a $200 debt you all are ignorant! Those who know the man accused Know he is not the cold blooded murderer that you all are trying to make him out to be. Quit slandering and use your brain this place is used to give info out to the community in which we live no to accuse. let the detectives do the investigation!!

  • Dietrich November 5, 2015 (6:39 pm)

    Among this sea of opinions there’s a few islands of facts. I’m just pointing out there’s a difference. Thanks Be Safe for your first-hand account. Other folks – we have a justice system, not a justice make-it-up-as-you-go. There’s fine folks working on it.

  • stephanie November 16, 2015 (11:08 am)

    Does anyone know when the suspects court date is?

    • WSB November 16, 2015 (11:10 am)

      There is no court date as there is nothing pending, at least not in this case, until and unless charges are filed. I’m continuing to follow the case. – TR

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