MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — An apparent botched robbery Monday night in Mountlake Terrace turned into a shootout like something from the Wild West.
Several rounds were fired back and forth in a kitchen between two men who have both dated the same woman.
“It was like the O.K. Corral in the apartment,” Mountlake Terrace police Sgt. Doug Hansen said.
The incident appeared to begin Monday morning when Samantha A. Morgan, 19, of Lynnwood, got a text message from an ex-boyfriend, according to a police affidavit filed Thursday in Everett District Court.
The ex wanted to get back together. Morgan, who wasn’t interested in reuniting, allegedly hatched a plan to instead rob him, the court documents said. The plan was to steal the ex’s high-end electronics, including a large-screen TV, Hansen said.
She went to visit her ex with her new boyfriend, Mark Wayne Till Jr., 19 of Everett, according to court papers.
On the way to Mountlake Terrace Monday night, Morgan and Till picked up a Marysville girl, 17, to act as a cover. The younger girl would pretend to be Till’s girlfriend, an apparent effort not to arouse suspicions in the ex-boyfriend. Till also brought a handgun, just in case, the court documents said.
The plan wasn’t well-thought out, Hansen said. It went terribly wrong.
Till allegedly demanded that the ex empty his pockets. A fight followed.
Detectives believe Till pistol-whipped the ex-boyfriend.
The victim “felt like he was in a fight for his life,” Hansen said.
Then the victim retrieved a handgun and the two exchanged fire. Till, Morgan and the girl weren’t injured and fled, Hansen said.
The victim, 24, remains hospitalized in satisfactory condition, a Harborview Medical Center spokeswoman said Thursday.
Morgan and the girl were arrested and jailed Wednesday.
Detectives continue to look for Till. Police released his photo Thursday. Till has family connections in Everett, Aberdeen and Hoquiam, Hansen said.
He has a history of weapons arrests and is considered armed, Hansen said. He’s described as 5-foot-8, weighing 255 pounds with hazel eyes.
Anyone who has information about Till or the incident is asked to call 911.
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437, jholtz@heraldnet.com
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