SEATTLE—Two suspects are facing federal charges for the deadly 2022 home invasion of 36-year-old Irah Sok, a mother and wife who was killed in her South Everett home while sleeping next to her child.
Kevin Thistle, 28, and Chris Johnson, 23, are both in custody and face first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, first-degree theft of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Around 3 a.m. on August 19, 2022, deputies responded to the 2600 block of 96th Street SE for a shooting where they pronounced Sok dead at the scene.
The Snohomish County Medical Examiner later confirmed that Sok died of a single gunshot wound and the manner of death was homicide.
Through an investigation, two years in the making, detectives learned that three armed suspects kicked in the front door and forced entry into the home. They walked up to the second floor of the residence and entered the master bedroom where they shot Sok who was asleep in bed next to her 7-year-old child.
“A mother was murdered in front of her child and this child’s life will never be the same, said Special Agent in Charge Rick Collodi, FBI Seattle. “As a husband and father, I am heartbroken for the families who have endured these traumatic robberies and assaults in places where they should have been safe – in their own homes in the middle of the night.”
The suspects then zip tied Sok’s husband, Makara, while they ransacked the house and made off with thousands of dollars worth of luxury possessions.
“This is a senseless act of violence that has critically touched our community and of course left a young child without his mother,” said Snohomish County Sheriff Susanna Johnson.
After the suspects fled, the victim’s husband ran out of the residence and contacted a neighbor who called 911. The investigation continued for several months before detectives, with assistance from the Kent Police Department, got a break in the case at the end of 2022.
A press conference was held Thursday, August 15, at the Federal Courthouse in Seattle where U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman announced a RICO Indictment that was announced by a Grand Jury in the Western District of Washington on Wednesday, August 14.
RICO stands for “Racketeering Involved Criminal Organizations.” This is the first indictment from the Western District of Washington in the last 17 years.
At Thursday’s presser, Gorman noted that both Johnson and Thistle were involved in an organized criminal organization that has “terrorized” South King County to Snohomish County to Skagit County.
“Kevin Thistle and Chris Johnson’s enterprise terrorized families, they terrorized children, throughout our communities in the Western District of Washington and they did this through robbery, burglary, kidnapping, and murder,” said Gorman.
Thistle and Johnson often wore masks and dark clothing when they would kick in the doors of houses during times when they knew the family would be there, Gorman continued, some times pretending to be law enforcement and disabling cameras before zip tying family members to restrain them – including children as young as nine years old – while ransacking the house for valuables.
The indictment alleges a criminal organization and while only two individuals— Johnson and Thistle—have been apprehended, the investigation continues.
“Today’s indictment is not the end of the case. We will continue to identify co-conspirators and hold them accountable for their actions,” said Special Agent Collodi.
Snohomish County Prosecutor Jason Cummings said Johnson and Thistle’s charges should be filed soon but did not give an approximate date. He shared his condolences for Sok’s family while thanking the several law enforcement agencies that came together to bring the indictment forward.
“This has been one of the darkest and most painful chapters of our lives and your unwavering commitment has brought a glimmer of light to our deepest despair. Every day has been a struggle marked by anguish uncertainty,” Soks family issued in a statement read by Snohomish County Sheriff Johnson Thursday.
Additional attendees at Thursday’s presser included King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall, Mount Vernon Police Chief Daniel Christman, Kent Police Assistant Chief Jarod Kasner and Snohomish County Major Crimes Detective Kendra Conley.
Candlelight Vigil
A candlelight vigil was held in remembrance of Irah Sok on Sunday, August 28, 2022, where nearly 100 Mill Creek community members gathered to show their respects in front of Sok’s former photography studio at 1700 132nd Street Southeast, Suite G.
Sok opened this studio, Irah Sok Images, just seven months ago, realizing a longtime dream of hers.
Prior to opening her own studio in January, Sok was practicing her craft out of her garage at home. Her photography was recognized internationally by receiving an AFNS award – an international competition for photographers in the field of maternity and newborn, Sok’s specialty.
“Her husband doesn’t have a wife anymore; her son doesn’t have a mother anymore because someone decided to break into her home and take someone’s life. We will not forget, we will continue to hit these pavements with our fliers, we will continue to call in the tip line and justice will be served for Irah,” Kelly Burns, friend of Irah’s and local business owner, told the Lynnwood Times.
Sarah Mitchell, friend and colleague of Sok, told the Lynnwood Times Irah was a woman of extraordinary talent and work ethic. She was well-loved, well respected, and encouraged other to follow their dreams. Mitchell, a local Mill Creek business owner herself, said she grew to know Irah over the last couple years through supporting each other’s businesses.
“She was an inspiration. As a mother, as a business owner, as a woman of color. You don’t meet very many people every day, who are a huge success, and a talent, and have a drive, and who are accepted and well-loved by everyone in the community. She really inspired me to keep following my dreams, be a good mother, and loving those around you,” Mitchell told the Lynnwood Times.
