Partner’s bullet struck Bothell officer Jonathan Shoop during deadly encounter
Jul 17, 2020, 1:12 PM | Updated: 9:31 pm
A memorial for fallen officer Jonathan Shoop. (Nicole Jennings, KIRO Radio)
(Nicole Jennings, KIRO Radio)
The bullet that killed Bothell police officer Jonathan Shoop came from his partner’s firearm during crossfire with the armed suspect.
Police say Henry Eugene Washington, 37, led them on a short chase after being stopped for driving a vehicle without a license plate. During the chase, Washington allegedly hit a man on a scooter before he crashed into a median. He got out of the car to leave the scene but changed course when saw Shoop and his partner, Mustafa Kumcur, pull up.
The deadly crossfire
At that point, police believe Washington turned back towards the officers with his handgun drawn. A witness said Washington told Shoop and Kumcur “come on pig, come on pig” while walking towards their vehicle. Police believe Washington shot first and the officers returned fire.
During the cross fire, police believe a bullet Washington fired struck Kumcur’s firearm. That may have helped deflect the bullet from fatally striking Kumcur in the face, though he was injured. But it also may have re-positioned Kumcur’s weapon towards Shoop, causing Kumcur to unintentionally fire on his partner.
Washington confessed to shooting at the officers, claiming it was done in self-defense.
“Washington described his actions in defense of himself against law enforcement taking his vehicle, marijuana and firearm,” a detective wrote in investigation documents per the AP.
An update on charges
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office officially filed three felony charges against Henry Eugene Washington: Aggravated Murder in the First Degree, Attempted Murder in the First Degree and Vehicular Assault.
“Mr. Washington’s act of firing into the police car caused the officers to return fire, ultimately causing the death of Officer Jonathan Shoop,” according to a spokesperson. “As noted in the charging documents, the fact that Mr. Washington did not fire the fatal shot is immaterial to his culpability in this crime. But for Mr. Washington’s directed attack on the officers, Officer Shoop would be alive today.”
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