Seattle Shooting Suspect, 15, Claims Self-Defense in 3-Dead Festival Gunfight
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 3
Seattle Shooting Suspect, 15, Claims Self-Defense in 3-Dead Festival Gunfight
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 3
Summary
Court filings say the 15-year-old charged after the July 26 Bite of Seattle shooting told police, "I was getting shot at," and claims he fired only after two other people opened fire toward him and a friend.
Several eyewitnesses backed that account, his public defender said, while prosecutors argue he recklessly shot into a packed crowd and should remain jailed.
Three people were killed and four wounded — including a 2-year-old boy — but court records cited by KOMO say the teen's shots did not cause the deaths.
Seattle police have identified two potential persons of interest after reviewing about 450 hours of video, though no other arrests or referrals to prosecutors have been made.
The teen faces assault and gun-possession charges tied to an alleged Polymer80 ghost gun; he is due back in juvenile court in October, with prosecutors seeking an adult-court transfer in November.