EVERETT — Police believe they’ve identified the gunman in a Dec. 20 fatal shooting in Everett.
The man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of a separate offense. The homicide investigation is ongoing, and it might turn out to be a case of self-defense, according to the arrest report.
As of Monday, Everett police detectives still were sorting out what exactly happened in a house before the gunfire, department spokesman Aaron Snell said.
The suspected shooter, a 22-year-old Arlington man, is being held for investigation of being a felon with a firearm. He also is accused of a violating a protection order in a different case.
“Potentially he was involved in the homicide, but we’re still working on that,” Snell said. “He’s believed to be the shooter, but we’re still investigating the shooting itself. We believe he had a weapon that he’s not allowed to have.”
The man was behind bars Monday on $1.2 million bail. He is described in court papers as a gang member. It was too soon Monday to say whether the violence was gang-related, Snell said.
The name and age of the man who was killed have not been made public. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office is working on scientific confirmation of his identity.
His body was found early Dec. 21 in the kitchen of a home in the 4100 block of Colby Avenue. He had been shot multiple times. Evidence recovered at the scene included shell casings, Snell said.
Witnesses said the two men got into an argument, and both drew guns. The man who is believed to have fired the fatal shots reportedly fled the house with a 28-year-old Lake Stevens woman. The woman also has been arrested. The pair is accused of breaking into her sister’s house earlier this month and stealing a handgun. It’s not believed to be the same weapon used in the killing.
The woman was booked for investigation of theft, burglary and illegal gun possession. Her bail was set at $100,000.
Both the man and the woman are felons, making it illegal for them to have firearms. In the arrest report, police wrote that the man is considered a flight risk and a “danger to the community.” He also is facing prosecution for allegedly making threats against someone in another case.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
