EVERETT—Emiliano “Emi” Muñoz, 13, tragically passed away on Monday, May 5, from injuries related to riding an electric bike through a braided metal cable in the Casino Road neighborhood of South Everett.
“I’m absolutely heartbroken about this tragic loss,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. “Please keep this child’s loved ones and his Explorer Middle School community in your thoughts as they grieve.”
The incident took place on Friday, May 2, around 4:30 p.m., when 13-year-old Emiliano, who goes by the nickname “Emi,” was riding an electric bike southbound on 5th Avenue West. He attempted to travel through a grassy lot in the 8808 5th Avenue West to reach an adjacent cul-de-sac when he struck the braided cable, the Everett Police Department said.
The metal cable cut through Emiliano’s vocal cords leaving him unable to speak and breathe. He was wearing his helmet during the incident. He died three days later in the hospital.
The Lynnwood Times sat down with Emi’s father, Alejandro, to get a better picture of who his only child was and what Emi’s aspirations were for the future.
According to Alejandro, Emi was a “good kid,” “very respectful,” and always liked to help his friends and family, even from a young age. He was responsible and actively helped his parents around the house, from doing his own laundry to cleaning his room; to washing the dishes. He was known by his family and friends as being extremely “happy.”
He was also independent, Alejandro added, and would make himself breakfast each morning before school. He never needed to be told to do his homework, but he did occasionally ask his father for help, which Alejandro said he always did – even when he was exhausted from a long day at work. Helping Emi with his homework is one of the things Alejandro misses most now that his son is gone.
Emi was an extremely active kid and an avid sports enthusiast. He played soccer, baseball, football, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, and hockey but his favorite sport was football. He had dreams to one day play on the University of Washington’s football team and eventually for the Seattle Seahawks.
Emi loved to recreational outdoor activities such as camping, kayaking, and hiking. He was looking forward to getting his driver’s license and had already begun shopping for cars.
Alejandro said his son was always taking the initiative to help – from helping his parents find groceries at the store, to opening the door for them.
“You never had to ask him to do something twice,” said Alejandro. “No, one time was enough. He was always listening and always being respectful to others. I was touched to see this in him because those are the values that I taught him.”
Emi was a good student. He got good grades at Explorer Middle School, where he attended as a seventh grader. He took advanced math classes (his favorite subject) and was even named Student of the Trimester twice. He frequently stayed after school to finish his homework and speak to the teachers if he had any questions.
“He always got what he wanted, always,” said Alejandro. “But he was a great kid. And so he was spoiled.”
Emi’s favorite movies were Marvel movies, Disney movies, and action movies. His favorite Marvel character was Spider-Man.
He also loved food. His favorite fast food was McDonalds where he frequently ordered a Quarter Pounder with cheese, but he also loved his mother’s cooking, Chinese food, and pizza.
Alejandro told the Lynnwood Times Emi was on his way to meet with some friends to play soccer when the tragic incident occurred. He got the call about the incident from his wife, who was contacted by first responders after Emi’s friend called 911 that fateful day. He dropped everything and ran to the location where there were already ambulances and police, he said.
Alejandro said the community, and Emi’s school, have been extremely supportive during his, and his family’s, grieving.
“I’m very touched,” said Alejandro. “It has been very touching because he [Emi] touched so many people. He touched so many friends. I’m very grateful because I know, deep down, that I created a nice boy. A nice boy with many, many lives to come. Many adventures.”
Emi was Alejandro’s only son. Now that he’s gone Alejandro told the Lynnwood Times he feels like he has lost, not only his only child, but his “legacy.”
“He was my only child, my only son. And he was my life. He was my life. I’m speechless,” said Alejandro. “We lived for him. We worked for him. He was our joy. Now the days are going to be tougher. We used to see him come home from school, plan the weekend, go to school in the morning, and have breakfast. So many things. So many things that I’m not going to see anymore.”
Alejandro added that his family was planning a trip to Oregon and a vacation to Hawaii, but those plans have since been put on hold.
The Muñoz family moved to Snohomish County about three years ago from Florida. They lived in New York before that.
The braided wire that took Emi’s life extended from a residential driveway, between a metal fence post and a traffic bollard, the Everett Police Department informed the Lynnwood Times. The cable, at least 30 feet in length, was so long that it shows up on Google Maps.
According to a friend of the victim’s family, who asked to remain anonymous, the metal cable was erected by a private resident who lives near the city-owned trail. That resident had been told, allegedly, countless times by neighbors to take the cable down, the source continued.
Alejandro said he doesn’t understand why the homeowner didn’t take the braided cable down from her house, even immediately after Emi’s tragic death, and following several accidents in the past—it was eventually removed after the incident.
“Even the night my son got into an accident she was out here putting back the cable, even with the police. I just don’t get it. Neighbors have told her to take it down or somebody could get hurt but she didn’t listen. She didn’t care,” said Alejandro.
In the week following Emi’s death, many friends, family, and schoolteachers visited the trail where Emi was riding his bike that fateful day, to show their respects at a memorial placed where Emi’s bike hit the cable. Emi’s friends adorned the memorial with flowers, letters, and Emi’s favorite foods.
“It’s really sad, but I feel the warmth, the touch, the heart, the other people that came to honor my son,” said Alejandro who visited the memorial himself. “That’s why I’m here, to honor my son. They can remember who he was and they know. They know because my son touched so many lives. So many that I couldn’t even imagine. So many lives, teachers, students, family, friends. You can see this. You can see this. And it’s not only me.”
Emi began attending Horizon Elementary in 5th grade and has been an Explorer Middle School student since starting 6th grade in 2023, the Mukilteo School District said. “We are saddened to learn of Emiliano’s death and send condolences to his family and loved ones. The school is supporting staff and students who are grieving the loss of a cherished friend from their school community. It’s a significant impact to all who knew him and the ripples can be felt by those who didn’t,” said Diane Bradford, Director of Communication for Mukilteo School District.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
