Police: Marysville shooter killed friend in confrontation at his car

Prescription drug use made Khoa Nguyen, 36, unpredictable, an acquaintance told police. Nguyen was held on $1 million bail.

Marysville

MARYSVILLE — Police say a Granite Falls man killed his longtime friend in Marysville on Monday night after previously trying to steal from the victim.

About a month ago, Khoa Nguyen, 36, came to the Hallmark House Apartments on 47th Avenue NE, according to Marysville detective Wade Rediger’s report. Nguyen’s friend reportedly let him into the apartment because Nguyen said he needed to lay low after just shooting someone. A witness told investigators she believed Nguyen bought drugs from the friend.

The friend, a 37-year-old man, saw Nguyen loading the friend’s electric bike into his red Honda Pilot, a witness told investigators. The friend confronted Nguyen, who also put other items into the SUV as he apparently tried to steal them, according to Rediger’s report. The friend was upset.

He and Nguyen reportedly hadn’t talked since.

Around 9:40 p.m. Monday night, Nguyen came back to the Hallmark House Apartments in his Pilot, according to police. The friend told his girlfriend he wasn’t going to answer the door. He didn’t want to deal with Nguyen again.

But after realizing he left his phone in his car, the man walked to the parking lot to retrieve it. While there, he told Nguyen to leave, Rediger wrote in his report. The girlfriend reported hearing a physical fight between the two men.

When the man got back to his apartment, he reportedly told his girlfriend he was going back outside so Nguyen could show him something.

Surveillance footage shows the man approach the Honda Pilot with one person inside, according to the detective’s report. He reportedly talks with Nguyen through the window when two flashes appear on the video. The man falls back. The gunman gets out of the car, walks over to the man and runs back to the driver’s side before fleeing.

Hearing the gunshots, the girlfriend called out for her boyfriend. She went outside and found him on the ground. She called 911 to report the shooting, according to the police report.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the victim had not been publicly identified.

An acquaintance reported to police that prescription drug use has made Nguyen unpredictable. The acquaintance didn’t know if he owned any guns, but his friend had a handgun he could get, court papers say.

The victim’s girlfriend reportedly told investigators Nguyen lived off Highway 92 in Granite Falls.

In the early morning hours Thursday, authorities swarmed Nguyen’s property in the 8600 block of Highway 92. The red Honda Pilot was in a carport under a tarp, according to police.

Investigators were able to identify Nguyen because he responded to his name. He asked to speak to his parents. Ten minutes later, he told law enforcement he needed 20 more minutes before surrendering. Nguyen reported he needed to charge his cellphone, while holding a gun to his head, police alleged.

A couple hours later, Nguyen surrendered to a SWAT team. Police arrested him for investigation of second-degree murder and unlawful firearm possession.

Detectives found a bullet casing for a 9 mm round in the Pilot’s passenger seat. The casing matched a loaded gun Nguyen had, according to Rediger’s report.

In 2009, Nguyen was convicted in Snohomish County Superior Court of taking a motor vehicle without permission, a felony. That conviction barred him from owning guns. In 2020, he was convicted of unlawful firearm possession. Judge Edirin Okoloko sentenced him to five days in jail.

Nguyen did not appear at a planned court hearing Wednesday. Still, at the hearing, Everett District Court Judge Tam Bui found probable cause for second-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. Bui set bail at $1 million. If Nguyen posts bail, he will be required to get a mental health screening, the judge ruled.

The defendant was scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.

Michael Henneke: 425-339-3431; michael.henneke@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @ihenpecked.

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.

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.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Rick Steves launches $1M match challenge for Lynnwood Neighborhood Center

The $64.5 million Lynnwood Neighborhood Center will house several community spaces and partner with local nonprofits.

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.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Council denies latest Eastview Village appeal

Council members affirmed previous approvals of the development planned off Cathcart Way near Highway 9.

Everett
Everett police: Man sold drugs to woman prior to fatal overdose

The man, who faces a charge under the state’s controlled substance homicide law, remains in Snohomish County Jail on more than $1M bond.

Missing Marysville boy, 10, found safe and sound

Police said the boy was last seen Sunday morning before leaving to go for a run at a nearby middle school.

Red tape hangs in the front of the entrance to a burned down Center for Human Services building along 204th Street on Monday, July 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood fire destroys behavioral health nonprofit building

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building housed an intensive mental health support program for youth and families.

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.