EVERETT — The man suspected in Monday’s south Everett shooting death surrendered to police Friday afternoon.
James Richard Prizmich, 45, was arrested at 3:45 p.m. in downtown Everett without incident in the company of his lawyer, Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz said.
Prizmich is expected to be booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of second-degree murder, Goetz said.
Detectives believe Prizmich is responsible for killing Cory Hamilton, 38, early Monday in front of a home in the 2400 block of 75th Street SE.
Prizmich, a convicted felon, allegedly told friends he had done something stupid, according to a search warrant filed in Everett District Court.
“Prizmich told them that he had shot and killed someone in Everett after an argument over stolen illegal narcotics,” the documents said.
On Wednesday, police tried to arrest Prizmich in a fifth-wheel trailer in the 8600 block of 27th Avenue near Quil Ceda Village. He wasn’t there.
The next day, police released Prizmich’s photo and described him as armed and dangerous.
Detectives were in contact with the suspect’s family, who eventually convinced him to turn himself in, Goetz said. Prizmich refused to talk with police after his arrest.
“We’re relieved that he’s off the streets and that this part of our investigation is over,” Goetz said.
Police also have recovered the Toyota pickup truck they were looking for in connection with the shooting.
Patrol officers found the truck late Thursday or early Friday in the 3200 block of Hoyt Avenue, Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz said.
Detectives believe Hamilton had permission to drive the pickup to the home. The truck was gone when police arrived, and it was later reported stolen.
Prizmich’s criminal history dates back to 1979, court records show. He has six prior felony convictions and at least 10 misdemeanors.
He was arrested in February for allegedly firing a camouflage-painted SKS assault rifle with a multi-round banana clip in a city park in the Lowell neighborhood. While he was being booked into jail after that incident, corrections officers found a small piece of metal hidden in Prizmich’s mouth: part of his belt, which they suspected he hoped to use as a tool for escape, the papers said.
He’s awaiting trial on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm as well as for a January incident in which he allegedly drove 80 mph trying to flee police.
Since serving prison time, Hamilton had tried to turn his life around, friends and relatives said. He had recently opened a personal training business.
Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.
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