13-year-old charged in shooting death of Shoreline friend

Associated Press

SEATTLE — A 13-year-old Shoreline boy has been charged with first-degree manslaughter in last week’s shooting death of a 16-year-old friend.

The 13-year-old and a young companion dragged the mortally wounded teen into some woods and left him, never calling for help because a courtroom drama one had seen on TV made them fearful of a life sentence.

Rudolpho Antonio Monillas told a King County sheriff’s deputy that he was twirling a stolen .38-caliber revolver when it discharged, striking Dustin Alan Rakestraw of Seattle in the forehead on Oct. 16, according to charging papers filed Tuesday in King County Superior Court.

But another young witness told authorities that Monillas and Rakestraw were arguing about unloading the gun. Monillas pointed it at Rakestraw, and Rakestraw yelled, trying to swipe the gun away with his hand. The gun went off, and Rakestraw fell, according to the account from Daniel Dahl, 13.

Dahl told authorities he and Monillas dragged Rakestraw — who was gasping for breath — about 20 feet to a secluded corner of some woods near the Shoreline branch of the King County Public Library. They ditched the gun in a retaining pond 14 blocks away, charging papers said.

Rakestraw’s body was reported to police two days later. Authorities say several children from nearby Kellogg Middle School had seen it lying in the bushes, but didn’t tell any adults, either out of fear or because they didn’t think it was a real body.

Dahl and Monillas told investigators that Rakestraw had stolen the gun from his family’s landlord. The weapon was reported stolen Oct. 21, prosecutors said.

Rakestraw had brought the gun to the library, prosecutors said, and left the library to show it off. Dahl said Monillas put a bullet in the gun, cocked it and then couldn’t get the bullet out. When Rakestraw asked Monillas to return the weapon, Monillas refused, Dahl said.

That’s when Monillas pointed the gun at Rakestraw, Dahl told detectives.

Dahl said the boys thought about reporting the shooting but decided against it. Dahl said he had seen an episode of "Law and Order" in which someone was sentenced to life in prison for an accidental killing, and the boys were afraid, charging papers said.

Monillas told friends that Rakestraw had been shot, which is how investigators found out, the papers said.

If convicted, Monillas faces a standard sentencing range of 10 to 15 months, but prosecutors might seek a longer sentence, said King County prosecutor’s spokesman Dan Donohoe. He could be held until he turns 21.

Dahl has been charged with first-degree rendering criminal assistance, Donohoe said. That carries a standard sentence of 30 days.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Modern DNA tech comes through again for Everett police in 1989 murder case

Recent advances in forensic genealogy led to the suspect’s arrest in Clark County, Nevada.

Ari Smith, 14, cheers in agreement with one of the speakers during Snohomish County Indivisible’s senator office rally at the Snohomish County Campus on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
More than 100 people gather in Everett to protest recent Trump actions

Protesters hoped to pressure lawmakers into delaying and disrupting action in the Senate.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.