Recovery and mystery remain for Everett man

By Jim Haley

Herald Writer

EVERETT — A 25-year-old Everett man who was mysteriously gunned down Oct. 22 in his parents’ Rucker Hill driveway is on the verge of being released from Harborview Medical Center.

Jason Hunter will now undergo intensive physical therapy at another hospital for the injuries that likely left him paralyzed from near the waist down, said his father, Dan Hunter.

He’s been at Harborview since Everett police and medics found him severely injured with five gunshot wounds. He was attacked by an unknown assailant just after he got out of his car that evening in the 1000 block of Charles Avenue. Jason Hunter was shot twice in the arms, once in the upper leg and twice in the back.

Earlier this week, doctors planned an operation to remove an abscess in the area where the his spleen had been removed, Dan Hunter said. But doctors later determined a bladder infection was interfering with his recovery, he said.

The move to another medical facility could come today or early next week, the father said.

Meanwhile, Everett police said nobody is in custody. Dan Hunter said detectives are pursuing some leads that have developed since a sketch of the assailant was released early this month.

No motive for the shooting was readily apparent, said Dan Hunter, a retired Boeing employee.

On another front, friends have started a Jason Hunter Web site to keep his many friends and acquaintances apprised of his progress. It can be found at www.jasonhunter.org. Others have begun a fund to raise money to help the family remodel the home so the young man can use his wheelchair there.

"The whole purpose of the fund is to help with expenses the family wasn’t anticipating before this happened," said close family friend Susan Reichmann, a former resident of the Rucker Hill neighborhood where Jason Hunter was shot.

It’s also an outlet for his friends to get involved.

"So many people have said, ‘I want to help.’ This is a way people can participate," Reichmann said.

A variety of other fund-raising efforts are likely over the next few months, she said, including a golf tournament, 5-kilometer run and an auction.

Jason Hunter is a 1994 Everett High School graduate who spent four years in the Navy. At the time of the shooting, he was working days and attending night school at Edmonds Community College.

He had just gotten out of class and arrived to visit his parents when the shooter came out of the shadows of the home’s carport and started firing.

Jason Hunter used his cell phone to summon aid after the assailant fled along a footpath in the direction of Federal Avenue.

You can call Herald Writer Jim Haley at 425-339-3447 or send e-mail to haley@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Funding gap leaves Lynnwood without a crisis center provider

The idea for the Lynnwood crisis center began in 2021 after a 47-year-old died by suicide while in custody at Lynnwood Municipal Jail.

Three injured after high-speed, head-on collision on Highway 522

Washington State Patrol is investigating the crash that happened before 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

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.