Teens held for shooting also suspects in robbery

By SCOTT NORTH

Herald Writer

Two teen-agers facing adult trouble for allegedly shooting at a Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy Nov. 3 were charged Tuesday with using a shotgun to blast away much of a man’s arm during an attempted holdup in Everett two days earlier.

An 18-year-old Granite Falls man wound up being taken by helicopter to Seattle after the Nov. 1 shooting at the Everett Country Club Apartments. The man’s left arm had to be amputated because of severe gunshot damage, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Michael Magee said in Superior Court papers filed Tuesday.

Brandon Joseph Gerner and Duane Roderick Lynch, both 17, already were facing adult charges of first-degree assault for allegedly shooting at a deputy during a car chase near Lake Stevens. The pair on Tuesday also were charged with attempted first-degree robbery for their alleged role in the Nov. 1 shooting.

Gerner, of Seattle, and Lynch, of Marysville, went to the apartments with Shane Isaiah Hamilton, 22, of Everett, who also was charged with attempted robbery, court papers said.

The 22-year-old allegedly brought the teens to the apartment after saying he’d seen a large amount of money inside, according to court papers.

"After knocking on the door, the victim answered and was met by defendant Gerner, who was armed with a loaded shotgun," Magee alleged. "The defendant Lynch also was armed at the time."

Gerner allegedly pointed the shotgun at the victim and yelled that he wanted "their stuff." A struggle ensued, and Gerner shot the man through the open door, Magee alleged.

Both teens already are jailed in lieu of $200,000 bail for the incident involving the deputy. Prosecutors are preparing additional charges against the pair, alleging robbery, burglary and possession of stolen firearms, according to court papers.

Investigators believe at least one other person was involved in the Nov. 1 holdup, but that person’s identity has not yet been determined.