Gang rivalry could be catalyst for gunfire south of Everett

Published 1:30 am Sunday, March 24, 2019

EVERETT — Gunfire that almost struck bystanders south of Everett could have been related to a gang rivalry, according to charging papers filed in Snohomish County Superior Court.

A boy, 16, and a man, 23, both were charged with first-degree assault and drive-by shooting. The man also was charged with attempting to elude a police officer. The boy will be tried as an adult.

Around noon on March 2, a black Cadillac Escalade pulled into the parking lot at the Hillcrest Estates apartments at 1007 130th St. SW. A teenage boy got out and fired a gun at two other people as they ran away, prosecutors say.

Six bullet marks were found afterward, including on a tree that was near witnesses who did not appear to be intended targets. No one was hurt. Deputies believe a revolver was used.

One of the people targeted had gang initials tattooed on his head. The defendants are known to be in a rival gang. In charging papers separate from the March incident, detectives referred to their group as the “most dangerous and violent” in the Everett area.

The man claimed not to know about any gunfire, even though he was seen running away and jumping a fence in security footage.

The boy seemed like he “was trying to kill someone,” one witness said. Deputies arrested him and the driver after a chase that ended at a gas station about four miles away.

A motive for the incident has not been made public.

On Facebook, the teen posted several photos in which he is flashing gang signs with others. In one picture, he’s holding up a gun; the caption says “Aint never lacking.” In another, he’s holding a handgun in one hand and a shotgun in the other.

He also posted a picture of a witness statement from a previous gang-related shooting, and called the person who wrote it a “snitch.”

The teen was still in juvenile detention Friday. His bail was raised to $500,000. He could be a high risk if he’s let out of custody, prosecutors wrote. Based off his Facebook posts, they were concerned that he might intimidate witnesses.

The other defendant was released after posting bail of $250,000.

Both defendants have previous gang-related criminal history, including an assault and unlawful possession of firearms.

Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.