By: Erin Freeman | Lynnwood Times Staff
BOTHELL, WA- Bothell Police Officer Jonathan Shoop died by gunshot in the crossfire of his partner after a man opened fire on their patrol vehicle after fleeing from a traffic stop.
Bothell Officer Jonathan Shoop, 32, and partner Mustafa Kumcur were on patrol the night of July 13, pulling over a black Pontiac during a traffic stop due to a missing license plate on the vehicle. The driver, Henry Eugene Washington, 37, stopped and conversed with the officers for over a minute before speeding away from the scene. Shoop and Kumcar followed in pursuit of Washington, watching him strike a pedestrian riding a scooter in a crosswalk before crashing into a median.
Washington then allegedly opened fire on the officers’ vehicle with a pistol, according to the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART), the agency leading the investigation.
Firing two shots into the patrol vehicle, one of the bullets broke the driver’s side window, the other hitting Officer Kumcur’s firearm, the gun ricocheting into his head, believes the SMART team. Officer Kumcur then fired multiple times, with one of the shots hitting and killing Officer Shoop.
“This was a chaotic chain of events that occurred over the span of close to only two seconds,” said Bothell City Manager Jennifer Phillips. “Based on the investigation updates, it appears there was a tragic crossfire situation that resulted in the death of one of our officers. Let us be clear, we believe the actions of the suspect led to this tragic event.”
Washington admits to driving away from the traffic stop, hitting the pedestrian, and firing at the patrol vehicle, during an interview with SMART detectives. He is being charged with aggravated murder in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree, and vehicular assault by the King County Prosecutor’s Office.
“The past few months have been unprecedented and difficult for first responders and now to lose one of our own is a horrific incident to comprehend,” said City of Bothell Mayor Liam Olsen in a statement.
Officer Shoop was the first member of the Bothell Police Department to die in the line of duty. He began his career in law enforcement with the Bothell Police a little over a year ago, joining in June of 2019 following service with the U.S. Coast Guard.
“Jonathan was a dedicated officer who served the City of Bothell with professionalism and compassion,” said the Bothell Police Department in a statement. “Jonathan was well-liked amongst his peers and throughout the community. Officer Jonathan Shoop will be dearly missed.”
Engaged to be married, Officer Shoop is survived by his fiancé, his mother and two brothers.
“Our hearts ache for the Shoop family. The loss of Officer Shoop has brought our entire community and department to our knees in grief,” stated Phillips. “We’ve lost a community servant and member of our Bothell family.”
A police patrol car has been transformed into a memorial outside of Bothell City Hall, where people have been stopping by to pay their respects. Community members have also been reaching out, searching for ways to support the officers and family of Shoop, says the Bothell Police Department
“This is a traumatic event that has befallen our police department and our entire community. Together we will begin the healing process,” said Mayor Olsen. “As mayor, I am so thankful to be part of such a compassionate and caring community.”
One Response