SEATTLE — A 41-year-old Seattle man was charged with third-degree assault in King County Superior Court after police say he assaulted his roommate with bear spray and shot him with a paintball gun.
The incident is alleged to have occurred around 10 a.m. July 12 at an apartment located in Seattle’s lower Queen Anne neighborhood.
In charging documents, prosecutors said the assault occurred when Ernesto Solon argued with his roommate over a missing dog.
Police said Solon had been living with the victim and the victim’s family for more than a year and had recently lost his French bulldog.
According to a probable cause document, Solon blamed the victim’s family for losing the dog, which he said was worth $6,000.
Solon and the victim began arguing when the victim refused to pay for the dog, according to police.
Police said during the argument, Solon shot the victim with the paintball gun multiple times from about 10 feet away.
Scroll down to continue reading
More news from KIRO 7
- Monroe police get creative to discourage panhandling
- Police: Man arrested more than 70 times throws coffee in 2-year-old’s face
- Unsecured load destroys Arlington’s mom’s brand new SUV
- Archdiocese of Seattle IT analyst charged with possessing child porn
- Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com
According to police, all seven of the victim’s children were affected by the bear spray, and three were hit directly.
Arriving officers said they saw Solon driving his car away from the apartment and took him into custody.
“Solon admitted to Officer Campbell that he shot his roommate with the paintball gun because he was upset about his roommate taking his property,” police wrote in the probable cause document.
The victim and his seven children were treated at the scene and later received treatment at St. Francis Medical Center in Federal Way, police said.
Solon was booked into the King County Jail on investigation of assault. Court records show he posted bond and was released on July 19.
Prosecutors said Solon’s criminal history includes convictions for theft, driving under the influence and robbery, among others.
Prosecutors said he also had active warrants in Lewis and Cowlitz counties.
Cox Media Group
