‘Dangerous individual’ who shot WSP trooper sentenced to more than 25 years

The man who shot Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Dean Atkinson in the face and hand in 2022 was sentenced to more than 25 years in prison on Thursday.

Brandon O’Neel previously pleaded guilty to attempted murder after shooting Atkinson on September 22, 2022, and was sentenced to 309 months.

“I appreciate the work of the court and the jury in this case and am relieved that such a dangerous individual was fairly and appropriately sanctioned,” WSP Chief John R. Batiste wrote in a statement.

Eviction notice triggers violent response

On September 22, 2022, an eviction notice was served on O’Neel’s residence, but officials found a note on his door with a specific sentence underlined.

“Evict me and I will execute any cop or manager you send period,” the note read, according to probable cause documents obtained by KING 5.

Inside the residence, a sign with the word “bomb” on it was found, prompting an evacuation and a WSP bomb squad response to clear the area. A bomb was not located inside the residence.

O’Neel was not home at the time of the WSP response, but returned home at approximately 5 p.m., and was no longer able to enter his apartment.

A witness relayed to a police officer that a masked man stopped his car in the road near the 1300 block of W. Poplar Street shortly after 5 p.m.

O’Neel’s car was stopped next to Atkinson, who was in a fully-marked police vehicle. The witness claimed O’Neel exited his vehicle and fired four or five shots at Atkinson, according to probable cause documents obtained by KING 5.

After the shooting, Atkinson was able to drive himself to Providence Medical Center, where he was treated for his injuries. He was subsequently flown to Harborview Medical Center.

Atkinson’s father, Dean Atkinson Sr., detailed the chilling scene as Trooper Atkinson arrived at the hospital.

“[Trooper Atkinson] walked up to the ER door. It’s a secure facility kind of like this and banged on the door,” Atkinson Sr. said, according to KIRO 7. “His hand prints and blood were on the glass door of the ER. There was a blood trail from his car to the door. He protected himself with his hand when he got shot, and that’s what caused the hand injury.”

Law enforcement later identified O’Neel as the suspected shooter, who had already fled the scene.

O’Neel traveled to Oregon before deciding to change directions and head back into Washington. Officers stopped O’Neel on SR 125, and he was arrested.

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