EVERETT — An alleged “career criminal” is under investigation for shooting a man several times at an apartment complex south of Everett, according to police reports filed in court Thursday.
Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies responded around 4 p.m. Monday to reports of a person who was shot several times in the arm and leg at Luella Apartments, off Fourth Avenue W and Center Road. Witnesses reported seeing the suspect drive away in a white pickup.
Court papers did not give a suspected motive for the shooting. The severity of the man’s injuries was also unclear.
On Wednesday at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, the wounded man identified the suspect: a 33-year-old Everett man he had met while behind bars.
The Snohomish County Violent Offender Task Force was already investigating the suspect. Court papers say he was a fugitive wanted on felony warrants unrelated to the shooting.
Detectives found the suspect a little after 5 p.m. Wednesday on Evergreen Way, near Fourth Avenue W. He allegedly had a loaded 9 mm handgun tucked in the front of his waistband. He reportedly claimed he didn’t shoot anyone.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, according to court papers.
He also wouldn’t say anything about the gun he had on him.
The same man was stopped by a sheriff’s deputy two months ago in Cathcart, at a gas station at 180th Street SE and Highway 9.
During the October encounter, the deputy greeted the man as he pumped gas into a BMW. He looked “surprised and startled,” and he quickly opened the passenger door, the deputy noted in an arrest report. He reached inside. The deputy, fearing there could be a weapon, told him to stop.
“The male was extremely nervous and I saw he had started to sweat profusely,” the deputy wrote.
The man gave a fake name. When no records came up, he made up another name. The deputy asked how to spell the name, and the man hesitated as he gave the answer, according to court papers. No records existed for that name, either.
Finally, the deputy took a picture of the man — which apparently made him upset — and sent it to the Everett Police Department’s Anti-Crime Team, who immediately identified the suspect and noted he had felony warrants for escape and third-degree assault.
A Department of Corrections specialist arrived and searched the vehicle. Inside a bag was a small lock box, which allegedly had more than 100 grams each of methamphetamine and heroin; some counterfeit pain pills believed to contain fentanyl; hypodermic needles; and a scale. The specialist also reportedly found a Smith and Wesson .380-caliber handgun with an extended magazine, reported as stolen. The magazine had three bullets inside. There was no round in the chamber.
The suspect was in custody Thursday at the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of first-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and three counts of drug possession with intent to sell.
The deputy argued against the suspect’s release, succinctly noting in arrest papers he was an armed “career criminal” who “shoots at people.” Court records show numerous instances in which the man was suspected of theft, robbery, forgery, being in possession of stolen vehicles, driving with a suspended license, DUI and violating protection orders.
Court papers stated he was a person of interest in another shooting this week in Everett, though specifics weren’t given.
On Thursday, an Everett District Court Judge set the suspect’s bail at $900,000.
Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
