Man who blamed intruder actually shot himself, detectives say

SNOHOMISH — Detectives believe a Snohomish man was lying about there being an intruder in his apartment when he was shot with his own gun last month.

Snohomish County sheriff’s detectives have closed the case and labeled the man’s claims “unfounded.” The investigation didn’t turn up any evidence of an intruder, and the Snohomish man’s story “lacked credibility,” detective Tedd Betts wrote in a Feb. 17 report.

Detectives suspect that the man accidentally shot himself in the stomach Feb. 1 inside his downtown Snohomish apartment.

The sheriff’s office does not intend to pursue any criminal charges.

“We’re not recommending any charges because our detectives have real victims of real crimes that they would like to focus on,” sheriff’s spokeswoman Shari Ireton said.

The case has already taken up a great deal of time and effort, she said.

The man, who worked as a security guard, reported coming home after the Super Bowl to find a stranger in one of the bedrooms. The man told detectives that he raced to get his gun from his closet and was attacked. He said the pistol went off during the struggle.

Detectives say the man changed his story over time. He told friends that the stranger was holding the gun when he encountered him. Phone records also revealed that he dialed 911, but hung up, about 30 minutes before he called back to report he had been shot.

When confronted about the first call, the man gave a few different explanations but they didn’t match his original story, Betts wrote.

A neighbor who was out walking his dog saw the first police officer arrive but didn’t see anyone running from the apartment. Police dogs were unable to track a suspect. There were no signs that someone broke in and nothing was missing from the apartment, records show.

The man couldn’t explain why his earmuffs for shooting were in the bathroom on top of the coat he said he’d been wearing when he walked into his apartment.

The man, 22, has remained adamant that he was shot during a break-in. He gave an interview to a Seattle television station Feb. 13, saying he was terrified to return to his apartment.

He continued to stick to his story even after detectives confronted him with evidence that didn’t match his version of events.

He also declined to take a polygraph examination, saying, “I think it’s in my best interests to not take a polygraph. They aren’t admissable in court.”

His friends told police they believe he was telling the truth.

Betts reported his concerns about the man’s story to the state Department of Labor and Industries. The man had filed a claim seeking compensation as a victim of a violent crime.

It’s unclear if the state will investigate the man’s application now that detectives have closed the case.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

‘Voter friendly’ election ballots set to go out for Snohomish County voters

Materials will include some changes to make the process easier to vote in Aug. 5 primary.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Kathy Johnson walks over a tree that has been unsuccessfully chainsawed along a CERCLA road n the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on Thursday, July 10, 2025 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How Roadless Rule repeal could affect forests like Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie

The Trump administration plans to roll back a 2001 rule protecting over 58 million acres of national forest, including areas in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie area.

Edmonds police officers investigate a shooting that occurred at 236/Edmonds Way Thursday in Edmonds, Washington. (Edmonds Police Department).
Jury convicts Edmonds man in fatal shooting of rideshare driver

After three hours, a 12-person jury convicted Alex Waggoner, 22, of second-degree murder for shooting Abdulkadir Shariif, 31, in January 2024.

Britney Barber, owner of Everett Improv. Barber performs a shows based on cuttings from The Everett Herald. Photographed in Everett, Washington on May 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
August 9 will be the last comedy show at Everett Improv

Everett improv club closing after six years in business.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish County will host climate resiliency open house on July 30

Community members are encouraged to provide input for the county’s developing Communitywide Climate Resiliency Plan.

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.