EVERETT — The parents of the Mukilteo mass shooter have denied liability in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by one of the victim’s families.
Dimitri and Anna Ivanov say they had no indication their son had significant mental health issues before the shooting, according to new court papers. They’re asking for the suit to be dismissed.
Allen Ivanov, who is serving a life sentence in prison, has not responded to the legal proceedings. A hearing on that matter is scheduled Thursday.
Autumn Snider filed the suit in June in Snohomish County Superior Court. She is the mother of Jacob Long, one of three young people whom Ivanov shot and killed with an AR-15-style weapon. It happened at a Mukilteo house party in 2016.
The suit alleges Ivanov had a long history of behavioral problems.
On Aug. 15, her attorneys filed a motion, saying Allen Ivanov has been properly notified about the suit. The Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office delivered the paperwork last month to the Washington State Penitentiary, the judge was told.
The plaintiffs are asking the judge to enter a default judgment due to the lack of response from the younger Ivanov.
Snider is seeking compensation for damages caused by Long’s murder under Washington’s wrongful death statutes. No dollar amount has been specified publicly.
Dimitri and Anna Ivanov responded in court earlier this month, then amended their answer Aug. 15. They said their son was living with his mother at the time but not both parents as the suit alleges. She also clarified that he is her biological son and not adopted.
She knew her son had bought a rifle but not the details about what kind, she said.
In the amended response, the Ivanovs’ attorneys say they may argue to move the civil case to another county. They say they may not be able to draw an impartial jury here.
Ivanov, then 20, was convicted in the murders of Long, Anna Bui and Jordan Ebner, all 19. An 18-year-old man also was shot and survived.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @rikkiking.
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