KENT, Wash. — A man charged with shooting and killing his wife in the middle of a strip mall parking lot appeared before a judge in Kent today.
Ignacio Cisnero, 46, pleaded not guilty on charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder.
Prosecutors said Cisneros shot and killed his wife, 34-year old Alla Chikh, on July 10, while she was trying to drive out of a shopping plaza off Kent Kangley Road in her Escalade.
Her friend, a passenger in the car, was injured.
According to charging papers, Cisneros had the couple’s 6-year-old son in his car at the time of the shooting.
A witness told police the boy was screaming, “You hurt her, you hurt her,” before Cisneros drove away.
The boy is now in the care of Chikh’s sister, Ulyana Johnston, and her husband Don.
They told us Chikh was a wonderful person and mother.
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“We are still getting over the initial shock of it. We are still numb,” said Don Johnston.
“She made everyone feel comfortable, special,” said Ulyana Johnston. “She was very wonderful and had many friends.”
Chikh also had a 12-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.
Prosecutors said Chikh had filed two previous protection orders against Cisneros – including aftert he punched her in the face multiple times.
The protection orders were later withdrawn, and the defense attorney said Cisneros has no criminal history before this shooting.
The judge denied the defense’s request to set bail.
Cisneros will remain behind bars until he is due back in court on August 13 at 1 p.m.