EVERETT — An Everett man fired four rounds from a shotgun through his apartment wall, killing his neighbor who was apparently asleep in bed earlier this month, according to new charges filed in Snohomish County Superior Court.
When police confronted Jeremy Jones, 41, about the shooting over the phone, he quickly confessed, the charges say. They arrived to find a black shotgun lying on his living room floor.
Moments after police detained him, Jones reportedly asked a nearby officer, “Did I shoot anyone?”
On Friday, prosecutors charged Jones with both second-degree murder and manslaughter in the fatal shooting of his next-door neighbor Jeremy Anderson. Prosecuting attorney Jason Cummings said both charges were filed under the legal principle of “alternative means,” meaning a jury could consider convicting Jones of either charge.
In the early hours of March 2, Anderson’s friend called 911 to report the shooting at Erwin Estates apartment complex in the 8200 block of 11th Drive West, according to the charges. Police entered the bedroom and reportedly found the friend performing CPR on Anderson, who was lying on the floor next to the bed with gunshot wounds to the head.
Anderson was taken to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett where he later died. He was 45.
An autopsy showed Anderson died as a result of shotgun wounds, charges say.
The holes from the gunfire in Jones’ apartment were reportedly smaller than those found on Anderson’s side. An officer claimed one of the holes on Jones’ side was big enough to look into Anderson’s apartment.
Three of the holes were found near his headrest 4 to 5 feet off the ground, and one in the closet wall, about 2 feet off the ground. Investigators believe Jones moved from his bedroom and crouched to fire the last shot.
The night before, Jones called 911 claiming his neighbor — whom he identified by the wrong last name — had been pounding on the shared wall, yelling threats. But when officers knocked on the door, Anderson looked like he had just woken up and there were no sign of any disturbance, according to court papers. Jones reportedly told those officers he owned a shotgun and a pistol, but he had locked them away in a safe before they got there.
Jones “appeared frazzled and was exhibiting signs of paranoia” when talking with officers on March 1, according to the charges. Investigators believed Jones was having a mental health crisis.
Officers told Jones to call the police if this happened again, then left the scene, charging papers say.
At his first court appearance March 4, prosecutors argued Jones’ 911 call from the night before indicated he knew he was shooting into an occupied apartment.
Defense attorney Jared Isaacson countered, “It’s just as likely that this is an accidental discharge of a firearm.”
Jones had no criminal record other than negligent driving.
Everett District Court Judge Tam Bui set bail at $1 million out of concern of Jones committing another violent crime.
A week after the shooting, Everett police petitioned a judge to put Jones under an extreme risk protection order that would take away his gun rights. A trial about that order is set for April 10.
On Tuesday, Jones pleaded not guilty to both charges. He remained in jail this week, awaiting a criminal trial tentatively set for May.
Maya Tizon; 425-339-3434; maya.tizon@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @mayatizon.
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