Charge filed in mosque attack

By Scott North

Herald Writer

A Snohomish man was charged Wednesday with assault and arson for allegedly attempting to burn a Jeep parked outside a north Seattle mosque, then shooting a handgun in the direction of worshipers.

Patrick Cunningham, 53, could face about 1 1/2years in prison if convicted of what King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng dubbed a hate crime.

"Emotions are running high in the wake of last week’s terrorist attacks, and the country stands united against those responsible for the attacks, but we must also stand united against the vigilante violence that is being inflicted on our fellow citizens based on their religious beliefs or ancestry. It is wrong and such violence has no place in American society," Maleng said in a prepared statement.

Cunningham is charged with first-degree assault and attempted second-degree arson.

Prosecutors allege that he was spotted outside the Idriss Mosque, a Muslim place of worship, just before 11 p.m. on Sept. 13, two days after the terrorists attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

People leaving the mosque smelled gasoline and realized it had been dumped on one of the worshiper’s vehicles. They also spotted a man walking away with a red gas can.

When confronted and told he couldn’t leave, the man allegedly pulled a .22-caliber revolver, threatened to shoot and pulled the trigger several times, but the gun failed to fire, according to court papers. "On the fourth attempt to fire the gun, the gun did discharge. "

The bullet struck the ground in front of the people who confronted the man. He then climbed in his car and drove away, later crashing the vehicle into a phone pole, an accident that left him injured.

Cunningham was arrested after witnesses at the mosque identified him. A handgun was found on the back seat of his car with a single spent shell inside.

Cunningham was taken to a Seattle hospital and questioned by police, according to court papers. He allegedly admitted being angry about the terrorist attacks and said he’d shot a handgun at coyotes a few hours earlier. He denied being at the mosque.

Prosecutors are asking that he continue to be jailed in lieu of $250,000 bail. His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 1.

You can call Herald Writer Scott North at 425-339-3431

or send e-mail to north@heraldnet.com.

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