Judge: Woodinville man in courthouse standoff must seek treatment now

Published 5:50 pm Thursday, January 11, 2024

EVERETT — A Woodinville man who barricaded himself with half a dozen guns in the Snohomish County Courthouse in 2022 must seek immediate treatment following a “highly concerning” mental health report, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Skagit County Superior Court Judge Brian Stiles received the completed psychological evaluation of David Hsu, 32, on Monday, nearly eight months past its original court-ordered deadline. Hsu had 120 days to undergo psychological evaluation and 30 days after that to begin treatment following his release from the Snohomish County Jail in May.

In March, Hsu pleaded guilty to unlawful display of a weapon and disorderly conduct. He was initially charged with six counts of unlawful firearm possession, but prosecutors later dismissed the charges due to a lack of evidence.

Stiles, who handled the case to avoid a conflict of interest, sentenced Hsu to 240 days in jail. He was released May 31, serving 51 days post-sentencing.

While the report remained sealed to the public, Hsu’s “lack of understanding” of his mental health and need for medication suggested he may commit a violent offense again, deputy prosecutor Elise Deschenes said in court Wednesday.

“The evaluation caused me a great deal of concern,” Deschenes said. “Obviously, I was already concerned with Mr. Hsu’s previous behavior and safety risk he poses to the community. This evaluation heightened that dramatically.”

The evaluation cited a “concerning” Facebook post Hsu wrote in December that reportedly implied he may return to the courthouse, Deschenes said.

On Dec. 12, 2022, Hsu barricaded himself in the courthouse with six guns, six knives, a hatchet and over 300 rounds of ammunition, charges say. Hsu demanded to see “two judges and the sheriff” to change arrangements for custody of his child, according to the charges.

Armed officers surrounded the courthouse and negotiated with Hsu. Three hours later, Hsu surrendered to law enforcement and was taken into custody. Nobody was injured in the standoff. Courthouse operations were suspended at the time.

Hsu was booked into the Snohomish County Jail, where he remained for nearly six months.

On Wednesday, Deschenes recommended the judge order Hsu to get into an inpatient treatment program within 48 hours.

Public defender Cassie Trueblood argued two days was not a “reasonable” amount of time to get into treatment, saying hospitals will most likely prioritize those in immediate crisis.

“He’s going to start immediately getting to do what he needs to do to follow the evaluation,” Trueblood said in court. “I just think 48 hours is not going to happen.”

Hsu began the evaluation process in late September 2023, according to court documents. He failed to show up to multiple appointments with a mental health specialist, delaying the evaluation, Deschenes said.

On Wednesday, Stiles ordered Hsu to immediately begin looking for treatment programs, amending his original timeline of 120 days.

“I think with the delay in getting the report and his involvement in delaying the report justifies me adjusting his schedule to start getting treatment,” Stiles said.

Another review hearing was scheduled for Jan. 18.

Maya Tizon: 425-334-3939; maya.tizon@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @mayatizon.