LOCAL NEWS
Extreme Risk Protection Order filed against man accused of threatening to kill Rep. Jayapal
Jul 15, 2022, 5:30 PM | Updated: 5:55 pm
(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Update — 5:30 p.m. July 15
In an interview post-arrest with police, the man arrested and later released after making threats against Washington Representative Pramila Jayapal admitted he drove by her house three to seven times since June 29, according to ERPO documents. On July 9, he drove to her residence on two separate occasions, once with his adult son.
He denied making any statements about her ethnicity/race and also denied telling Jayapal to kill herself, according to the post-arrest interview. However, he stated he did not know if his son made any of those statements.
In a security video clip from the Jayapal residence, a voice is heard telling Jayapal to kill herself among other profanities.
The ERPO requested would last one year, and would prevent him from purchasing, possessing, accessing, receiving, or attempting to purchase any firearms as long as the ERPO is active.
Man accused of threatening to kill Rep. Jayapal released on limited incriminating evidence — published July 14
The Seattle man who was arrested on Saturday for making threats against Washington Representative Pramila Jayapal was released Wednesday, July 14 after King County Prosecutors did not file charging documents in time to hold him.
According to the police report, they found him standing in the middle of the street by Jayapal’s house, hands in the air, with a handgun on his waist.
Neighbors said he threatened to kill her. He was yelling something to the effect of “go back to India, I’m going to kill you.”
Rep. Jayapal threatened at her home, perpetrator could face hate crime charges
King County prosecutors asked a judge that the man be held on $500,000 bail and argued that a criminal harassment no-contact order should be issued.
His bail was set at $500,000 as requested, but the judge did not issue a protection order, according to the prosecutor’s office.
When speaking to KIRO 7 on Monday, the prosecutor’s office said they were waiting on documents from police that were required for the charging decision and they were expecting them by Wednesday afternoon.
The man is facing harassment and felony hate crime charges against the congresswoman.
He was released Wednesday night after prosecutors did not file holding documents in time.
Casey McNerthney, communications director for the King County Prosecutor’s Office, released a statement on the issue.
“The suspect’s alleged language and actions, coupled with his possession of a concealed weapon, deserve the full attention of the justice system. Presently, the investigation is ongoing and our office is working with police investigators to make sure we understand the full extent of the suspect’s actions to build the strongest case possible.”
Charges must be filed within 72 hours of booking a suspect in order to keep them in jail. That time is adjusted to account for instances when a judge is not available, such as weekends.
The man has been released from holding, but could still face charges. The KCPO continues to investigate the man and has filed an Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) against him.
