SEATTLE — The man charged in the killing of Bothell police officer Jonathan Shoop in July faced a judge for the first time and pleaded not guilty to all charges Monday.
Henry Eugene Washington initially refused to appear, and only agreed to do so after a judge ordered him to be forcibly removed from the King County Jail.
Washington has been charged with first-degree aggravated murder for the death of Shoop, attempted murder for the other officer in the vehicle and vehicular assault for hitting a pedestrian.
Investigators say those events all unfolded after the Bothell officers tried to pull Washington over for driving a car without a license plate. They say Washington sped away, but eventually got out of his car walked toward the police cruiser and opened fire.
An investigation revealed Shoop was killed by friendly fire.
Washington pleaded not guilty Monday to all three counts. His defense lawyers voiced specific objections to the charge of aggravated murder, explaining that an investigation revealed Shoop was actually killed by friendly fire.
>> Detectives search for possible witnesses to fatal shooting of Bothell police officer
However, prosecutors said the friendly fire finding was “immaterial to his culpability,” and said if it weren’t for Washington’s “direct attack,” Shoop would still be alive today.
Officials have previously voiced a similar message of Washington’s responsibility for Shoop’s death. In the days following Shoop’s death, the Bothell City manager said “let us be clear, we believe the actions of the suspect led to this tragic event.”
A procession and memorial service for Shoop is scheduled to be held Tuesday morning.
Cox Media Group
