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 SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 7:09 pm |
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Local News 
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Victim of alleged burglary now a suspect in killing Homeowner accused of killing alleged burglar ARLINGTON — On Monday, police considered Arlington homeowner Keira S. Earhart a burglary victim.Two days later, detectives arrested Earhart, 38, and put him behind bars. Earhart is suspected of killing the break-in suspect by shooting him in the back. “It's an unusual case,” Snohomish County sheriff's spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said. “We don't see cases where the original victim becomes the suspect and the alleged suspect becomes the victim.” Detectives do not have any information indicating Earhart was acting in self-defense, she said. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office identified the man who died as Ryan A. Rzechula, 25, of Stanwood. He died of a gunshot wound to the back. His death was ruled a homicide. A judge Thursday ordered Earhart held in the Snohomish County Jail on $1 million bail. Details of the investigation were released in an affidavit filed Thursday in Everett District Court. It all started Monday morning when Earhart called 911 to report a break in at his home in the 22800 block of 37th Avenue NE near Arlington, Hover said. According to the police affidavit, Earhart received an alert on his cell phone triggered by his house alarm. He rushed home, saw a man running out, and gave chase but lost him. He called police. Earhart told deputies that some of his wife's jewelry was missing and that someone tried to pry open his gun locker, the court document said. He also said he'd been burglarized before and was frustrated by the crimes. Sheriff's deputies searched the area and deployed a police dog but were unsuccessful in finding the burglar. A few hours later, Earhart again called 911. Deputies found him in a rural area not far from his home. He told deputies he was looking for the burglar, and spotted a man in a ditch who looked like him. Earhart told them he yelled at the man, who then ran off across the field. Deputies again were unable to find anyone matching the description, Hover said. A neighbor later told detectives she'd heard about three popping sounds that afternoon and saw a man standing near her home with a gun, the court document said. Another witness said he saw a man with a gun and heard him yell “Stop” at another man, who ran away. There were two gunshots, the witness told police. The man with the gun did not appear to be threatened by the fleeing man, the witness said. “Did you see that, that guy just tried robbing my house,” the man with the gun said, according to the court documents. The man with the gun said he fired warning shots at the burglar. On Wednesday morning, a neighbor called 911 to report finding a man's body in a creek bed, near where the shots were heard Monday. The body was found a short distance from Earhart's home. Rzechula has a criminal history that includes a felony conviction. He had jewelry in his pockets that matched what had been taken from Earhart's home. The police affidavit does not say whether any weapons were found on him. Rzechula called a friend Monday afternoon, saying he'd been caught stealing and was hiding from police, the court document said. The friend didn't hear from Rzechula again. Detectives on Monday called Earhart, who agreed to meet them. When Earhart arrived, he already knew police were investigating the body, the court document said. “He said he knew he was involved in our case,” a detective wrote in his report. “He requested an attorney.” Earhart has no criminal history in the state, according to court records. He has been a previous victim of burglary and theft, records showed. He also has a concealed-weapons permit and is the registered owner of a .22-caliber Ruger. Earhart resigned from a job with the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians in September, the tribe’s acting executive director Eric White said. * Earhart was arrested late Wednesday and booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of second-degree murder. Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437, jholtz@heraldnet.com. *Correction, Nov. 20, 2009: This article originally misreported Earhart's employment status. |
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COMMENTS
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I am very disturbed by the retired police officer's comment. I just hope that his attitude is not a reflection of that of his brothers in uniform, or we are all doomed. If you carry a gun as your job to uphold the law, then I would hope that you respect the law which you are employed to uphold.
The comment made indicates that the law is not even understood by this man, who was a police officer for 27 years.
I agree that criminals should face consequences, but death for property, being shot in the back, unarmed, after being chased. . . yeah, hmm... tell you what officer let's just forget this pansy girly legal system and go Rambo on their a**es. Isn't that what you are thinking? That is truly frightening and disheartening.
connie tyrrell | Nov 23, 2009 7:56 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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One commenter on this story asks that the burglar, the home invader, be addressed by his name. Why? Out of respect? Out of courtesy?
It is discourteous not introduce yourself upon entering another person's residence. Did the burglar extend this courtesy to his victim? It is disrespectful to invade another person's residence. It is disrespectful to steal their belongings.
If you treat others with disrespect and discourtesy, what on earth would motivate them to treat you kindly?
Veritas Splendor | Nov 22, 2009 6:33 pm | 1 replies | Request removal
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EXACTLY!
becky balch | Dec 08, 2009 11:25 am | Request removal
Reading what some people have written just breaks my heart. When people put material things above life itself, we are all doomed. When people support others who commit murder, we are all doomed. I see on here people who "Want" to be on the Jury and to let this man go and one of you is a law enforcement person. You are not law abiding citizens, and if you think you are you are so miss guided.
I have been robbed, more than once and if anyone can speak to this I can. My home has been robbed, my car has been stolen and I my self have been beaten and robbed by knife point. None, None of these times have I ever thought that taking a gun and catching the person and killing them would be the answer.
What I did was prayed to God and asked for my items to be returned, and you know what some of them were, the ones that mattered. My wallet less my cash, but my purse still had my prescription eye glasses and items that were irreplaceable. When my home was robbed, some of my coins were returned, but you know what, it did not matter. My sisters were visiting at the time and no one was hurt, we were all safe, the person only got in to the sun room and not into the house. When my car was stolen sadly everything was taken in it, but it did not matter, I was ok. I was not "Jacked" out of my car while in it, and I got another used car.
Ryan had drug addiction and as a recovering alcoholic I must say when you are under the influence you do things you would never do when you are clean. I talk with Ryan's dad all the time we are cousins and today his dad is out doing a job so he can pay for his son's funeral. You see his dad did everything he could to get him clean, but Ryan like so many others just could not do it. What is sad is so many of you who are throwing stones right now may have your own addictions and you don't even see it. I would suggest before you say anything about anyone else, you look at yourself, your family and realize that none of us are perfect and but for the grace of God go I.
So hug your children a little tighter tonight, help your friends who have problems with addiction, do that intervention like it or not. No life is worth losing like in the old Capra film, George Bailey had a purpose and so does everyone here now. Maybe Ryan's death can show all of us that even though someone is addicted they are worth more than being shot and left in a ditch to die.
Annette Prue | Nov 21, 2009 12:59 pm | 2 replies | Request removal
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I was a friend of ryan, I agree with you , my heart felt sympathy goes out to you and his Family,I dont condone what he did, but he needed help, we could of all tried to help him alittle more but we will never get that chance. Ryan will be missed, and god will look over him from above.and he will be greatly missed all for a pocket full of jewlery.his life is worth more than that. god bless you Ryan.....now your with god
Ronald Fox | Nov 21, 2009 2:13 pm | Request removal
He got what he full well knew could happen. Most of us will not only defend our possessions, but our children and spouses who are quite often near our posessions. Having a drug addiction does not obsolve one of responsibility. Having a drug addiction does not give one the right to steal peoples hard earned possessions, frighten their families and cause people to live in fear and terror. Tragic? yes. Warranted? Yes.
becky balch | Dec 08, 2009 11:22 am | Request removal
If I understand, witness accounts were given to police long after (like the next day?) gunshots and shouting were heard. These people did not think they should notify the police right away? They didn't think maybe someone was hurt and needed help?
From what I understand from this news story it seems like the shooter was trying to mitigate the victim's death by leading police to the scene. Granted, not to the cost of implicating himself; but he did call the police and indicate that he had chased the man. I cannot tell from the story if he indicated the correct area to the police or if he tried to mislead them in that way as well.
I agree with the person who commented that the right to own a gun carries with it, as it should, the responsibility of understanding the law. Arrogance and ignorance and so many other social problems combined with gun ownership, time and time again, leads to tragedy.
connie tyrrell | Nov 23, 2009 7:31 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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its so very sad that a man is in jail on a 1 million $ bail away from his family all for doing the right thing witch is protecting him self and his property,he fired only one shot ,so what it was in the back at least he had a reason,,unlike the police officer that shot 10 times with a ( tight pattern of 7 rounds in the back neck & head)all from a distace of about 9 feet away ,and out walking around with a charge of manslaughter, it should be at least aggravated 2nd degree murder, that cop should be locked up with the key throne away, if that isnt out right brutal i dont know what is...
joseph mashburn | Nov 21, 2009 8:09 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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its so very sad that a man is in jail on a 1 million $ bail away from his family all for doing the right thing witch is protecting him self and his property,he fired only one shot ,so what it was in the back at least he had a reason,,unlike the police officer that shot 10 times with a ( tight pattern of 7 rounds in the back neck & head)all from a distace of about 9 feet away ,and out walking around with a charge of manslaughter, it should be at least aggravated 2nd degree murder, that cop should be locked up with the key throne away, if that isnt out right brutal i dont know what is...
joseph mashburn | Nov 21, 2009 8:08 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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