Lynnwood man a suspect in fatal shooting of cousin

Published 11:20 pm Wednesday, July 9, 2008

LYNNWOOD — Police believe a Lynnwood man fatally shot his cousin twice in the head early Tuesday after a night of drinking and meeting women, according to court documents released Wednesday.

Police arrested Filmon T. Habtemariam, 26, shortly after finding Tekelet T. Habtemariam, 27, of Lynnwood, dead around 2 a.m. Tuesday slumped over in a car in the 14500 block of Admiralty Way in front of the Tamaron Ranch apartments.

It’s not yet clear what prompted the killing.

A witness, who was with the men during the night and saw the shooting, told detectives about the events leading up to the gunfire, according to a police affidavit filed in Everett District Court. The witness told police he believed the men were cousins.

The three men met up at a popular Everett country western bar to try to meet women, the court documents said.

The three left together and Tekelet Habtemariam agreed to give Filmon Habtemariam a ride home to his apartment on Admiralty Way. Everything seemed normal during the drive from Everett to Lynnwood, the witness told police.

The man who would later be arrested sat in the back talking on a cell phone while the witness sat up front and the man who later died drove.

As the car slowed down, the witness heard a bang and saw Filmon Habtemariam holding a handgun. There was a second shot and then Habtemariam fled, the documents said.

Detective found a semiautomatic handgun in the bushes of the complex and recovered clothing that appeared to be bloodstained after searching Habtemariam’s apartment.

After being arrested, Habtemariam told police, “I’m drunk and my drunk is going away,” the court documents said. Police said the man smelled of intoxicants. The man allegedly told detectives he was involved in the drug trade and being detained by police was costing him money, the documents said.

Habtemariam had nearly $1,500 cash with him when he was arrested. He refused to talk to detectives about the shooting.

The cousins both have a history of drug convictions, according to court records.

On Wednesday, Habtemariam refused to leave his jail cell to appear in court for a bail hearing. A judge was expected to order the man to make his court date today.

Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.