ALKI SHOOTING: $400,000 bail set for suspect; new version of what happened

At a jailhouse-court hearing this afternoon, bail was set at $400,000 for the 21-year-old suspect in last Sunday morning’s Alki Beach shooting, and new details emerged. According to the full police narrative in the probable-cause documentation, the man found with non-gunshot injuries at the scene turned out to be the shooting suspect, and the person who showed up at a Federal Way hospital (as mentioned in our original report) was indeed a second shooting victim.

Here’s the story the narrative tells:

The previous story about the whole thing having started with a robbery was made up by the suspect, police say. Security video from a business across the street helped detectives determine it was a lie. It showed that the suspect and (original) victim arrived at Alki around 1 am as passengers in a pickup truck with two other people. Video showed the people going back and forth between the beach and the truck. Another vehicle showed up around 1:30, left after a few minutes, then came back after 2 am. Its driver turned out to be the man who later showed up in Federal Way with a gunshot wound to the ankle. After the second arrival, he got out of the car and made contact with some of the others. Shortly thereafter, he and the shooting suspect started fighting; police say they don’t know why. The main shooting victim, meantime, got into a fight with someone else. And at one point, the shooting suspect got into that brawl, fighting alongside him. But that all didn’t last long, and the fight ended, with the shooting victim and other man shown “hugging it out.”

In the meantime, though, the shooting suspect is seen on the video getting a gun from the truck and loading it. He then fired five rounds at the others, police say – hitting the most seriously injured victim almost immediately. That man falls to the ground. The man who was shot in the ankle runs for his car, which, with somebody else driving, takes off. The alleged shooter tried to help the other victim get up, but he couldn’t, and the remaining others left in the pickup truck without them. Meantime, people who heard the shots had called 911, and police started arriving. The suspect was taken to the hospital that night but after detectives uncovered the real story via the video, they arrested him Wednesday at his home in Marysville. His next court appearance is set for Monday afternoon, by which time prosecutors might file charges.

Kersti Muul February 7, 2020 (5:38 pm)

Woah.Isn’t that a tangled ball of yarn…

Frog February 8, 2020 (11:25 am)

Yes, that is more complicated than a PBS mystery. If not for the video, they would need Father Brown to figure it out. Does this mean the accused shooter is actually the brother of the guy shot in the head? (It’s hard to match characters in this narrative with the original one.)
- WSB February 8, 2020 (11:36 am)
  
  I didn’t get into this but in the police report, while telling the original allegedly made-up story, the shooting suspect supposedly described the main victim as “LIKE a brother” to him. There are no actual brothers mentioned.

jissy February 7, 2020 (7:16 pm)

Your sins will find you out.

Sillygoose February 7, 2020 (7:25 pm)

Momma was right when I complained about midnight curfew ” Nothing Good Every Happens after Midnight” she would say.

bolo February 7, 2020 (8:40 pm)

I was waiting for that one. So appropriate, esp. in this case.
Wise mom February 10, 2020 (10:15 am)

My mom said the same thing! Along with, “I will always find out” and “If you don’t want anyone to know, don’t do it” I’ve changed that one to “If you don’t want everyone to know, don’t post it”
Anonymous February 11, 2020 (1:29 pm)

Yes well momma also said be a man. Apparently that memo wasn’t received either cause here we are

Calires February 8, 2020 (2:41 am)

Let’s hope “So and So” follows up on this post after being so upset about the police not being sufficiently available for the family of the “innocent victims”.

Mark47n February 8, 2020 (7:56 am)

Don’t take your guns to town, son.Don’t take your guns to town, Bill, Don’t take your guns to town.

Whatthehell??? February 8, 2020 (11:09 pm)

That story line…was a big fat why??

WSB February 8, 2020 (11:35 pm)

The “why,” the video couldn’t show. Only the “who” (did it) and “what” (they did). Charging documents, the next likely step, MAY have more details.

So and So February 9, 2020 (7:34 pm)

The victim with the gunshot to the head is indeed just that….a innocent victim. As stated he was with friends, things got out of hand, his “friend” pulled a gun and shot him and 2 others. They got into an argument and some of them fought. Did they pull guns? Nope. Shooter decided to get a gun and shoot the one friend who was trying to help him in the head. In fact the gsw to the head victim hugged it out with the one he was fighting before getting shot. Thats what REAL MEN do, not grab a gun when you are losing a fight. This is So and So “following up.” This is why social media is so disgusting. You all think you know what happened but do not. Call names, make your assumptions. Only the people involved and the police know what happened from video. Must be pretty high up there on that high horse of yours. Victims family is going through enough without reading your inaccurate, snotty comments.

alki_2008 February 16, 2020 (2:43 pm)

Meanwhile, a step-parent of the shooter has posted comments saying they don’t believe the ‘alleged’ shooter would hurt anyone. Everyone should consider that this is the internet. There is very little regulation of the truth in comments.
.
You have to admit the doubt from readers when your new comments refer to the shooter as friends, yet your comments in the original article said they were thieves. Hard to get friends vs thieves mixed up.

So and So February 9, 2020 (8:24 pm)

Also the cops havent told us any of this and yet its funny how the news can find it out no problem. If you or a loved one are a victim dont expect answers anytime soon. Someone else will find out before you apparently and just broadcast it. Good looking out SPD.

Anonymous February 10, 2020 (3:11 pm)

Charge: Assault InvI would like to say that that hopefully the charges will come down to 3 counts of attempted murder. If so, I predict the shooter will take a plea of attempted manslaughter. No way can the defense claim crime of passion or any other petty bs. The guy had enough time to change his mind between running to his vehicle for his gun, load it, and run back. He could’ve changed his mind after firing the first round. But no, he made up his mind the moment he loaded the weapon. In my opinion, too much time passed for it not to be deemed premeditation.I am further interested in finding out if the shooting took place in an unincorporated area of Seattle, a school zone, a no shooting zone, and a state park. Unfortunately I do not know the Alki area. If any of those possibilities qualify, then this guy is going to have a long list of charges-especially because each one is considered separate enhancements to the charges.Also, the gun itself. Can we all get lucky and find out that the actual gun was stolen? Maybe used in a previous crime?So, many charges to consider. I really hope this guy gets every charge possible. Fingers crossed

WSB February 10, 2020 (3:36 pm)

Still waiting for word on what if any charges. Re: where it took place, none of those apply.
- WSB February 10, 2020 (4:39 pm)
  
  Charges out. 2 counts of assault. Writing the followup now.
  - Anonymous February 10, 2020 (11:48 pm)
    
    I see Assault 1 for now. At least that. Class A felony and I think the sentencing range is 5 years to life.
    - WSB February 10, 2020 (11:58 pm)
      
      It’s in our followup:
      https://westseattleblog.com/2020/02/crime-watch-followup-charges-filed-in-alki-shooting-junction-robbery-tool-buyback-cases/
      Sentencing is far more complicated … there’s the “standard range,” a defendant’s offender score, and whether in the end they plead to the original or lesser charges, or go to trial … far more cases are resolved on pleas than by a trial.

anonymous February 11, 2020 (1:53 am)

Appreciate the quick update WSB. Yes, sentencing range determination involves lots of variables. He’s a first time offender, I was told. I’m sure he’ll most likely plea out, especially after getting a taste of life in the Seattle facility. That facility is old and skanky. Still, shooting a person in the head, especially with such a low percentage of surviving such a wound, you’d think the charge would have been something more than a degree of assault. In the end, I am just thankful that he was quickly apprehended and taken off the streets. It just sucks that the shooter is just hanging out in a jail cell while one of his victims can barely hear on one side, can barely breathe through his nose because of bullet fragments, and is just now able to eat a simple fruit cup and keep it down.

Assume February 11, 2020 (11:37 pm)

I want to no were the video went that someone posted, The suspect was my step son he is a good kid and wouldn’t hurt anyone I won’t believe it until I see it for myself
- WSB February 11, 2020 (11:45 pm)
  
  We have never had video related to this case. The police report and charging documents discuss security video but it has not been made public that I know of.
  - Assume February 11, 2020 (11:58 pm)
    
    Yes someone did post it for a short time is what I was told he is a good kid and would never hurt anyone I’m a bit confused on this whole thing story’s keep changing all I no is I won’t believe it until I see it I can’t believe all the harsh posts people your getting second hand info think about it
    - WSB February 12, 2020 (12:15 am)
      
      Not on this website, so if someone saw a video, it wasn’t here.