Father killed near Snohomish identified

Police say James Johnston fatally shot his father, Robert Johnston, 59, on Sunday. The son remained in jail Wednesday.

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SNOHOMISH — A Snohomish man who police say was killed by his son Sunday has been identified.

Shortly before noon Sunday, a man called 911 saying James Johnston, 30, had shot his father Robert Johnston with a .22-caliber rifle at a home in the 6500 block of 57th Avenue SE, according to a police report.

Two people who were inside Robert Johnston’s home told detectives a “warning shot” was fired at the father’s feet. When the father walked back toward the trailer, another shot was fired, this time reportedly hitting him in the abdomen.

He was pronounced dead as paramedics tried to transport him from the scene, according to a police report. He was 59.

James Johnston was arrested for investigation of second-degree murder. In court this week, a defense attorney argued the evidence didn’t support this charge.

The suspect remained in the Snohomish County Jail on Wednesday with bail set at $1 million.

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