Two arrested in Snohomish shooting that witnesses described as premeditated

Published 7:14 pm Friday, April 15, 2011

EVERETT — Police believe a Snohomish man was shot three times Wednesday because he was spreading information about the alleged gunman’s pending child rape case.

Terrance L. Lawson, and his girlfriend, Lorene Saladini, both 19, were arrested early Friday morning in connection with the shooting at a church parking lot in the 1300 block of Pine Avenue.

A judge set bail at $1 million for Lawson and $500,000 for Saladini on Friday afternoon.

The wounded man, Evan Self, 21, remained in serious condition at a Seattle hospital. He identified Lawson as the man who shot him Wednesday, according to documents filed Friday in Everett District Court.

The shooting came within an hour of Saladini confronting Self about reports he was talking about the child rape case brought against her boyfriend, police said.

Witnesses described the shooting “as premeditated and not self-defense,” according to a court affidavit.

Lawson and Saladini were booked into the Snohomish County Jail early Friday morning. They were being held for investigation of first-degree assault. Lawson also is facing a possible weapons charge.

Lawson is accused in court papers of having sex with an 11-year-old, although legal documents filed so far provide no details.

Police said Saladini aggressively confronted Self shortly before the shooting, and she reportedly was upset that the man had been talking about the case. She also told witnesses she was calling Lawson.

Within an hour, the victim was shot at least three times at close range with a small-caliber handgun.

Witnesses told police that Saladini was present during the shooting and watched it from inside Lawson’s car.

Snohomish Police Chief John Turner said tips led police to a Snohomish County home early Friday morning. Several people were inside, including Lawson and Saladini. They were arrested without incident, he said.

“We had a bunch of people here last night tracking down leads,” Turner said.

Detectives and officers from other departments, including Lake Stevens and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, helped in the investigation, he said.

In a written report, police alleged Lawson is “an extreme danger to others, including witnesses and involved parties and (he) shows no regard or remorse for retaliating against those that submit information against him.”

News of the shooting prompted a handful of Lawson’s friends to post on his Facebook page. One friend begged Lawson to let his family know he was safe. Another promised to write him letters in the lockup. One poster chastised another for including her phone number when the cops might be looking.

Another posted a prayer.

Rikki King contributed to this story.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.