Full Breakdown
Prosecutors Refile Murder Charges Against Henry Eugene Washington After Competency Restoration
7/2/2026, 1:17:48 AM
The Deadly Traffic Stop on July 13, 2020
On July 13, 2020, Bothell Police Officer Jonathan Shoop and trainee Officer Mustafa Kumcur stopped a vehicle driven by Henry Eugene Washington, 43, near the intersection of State Routes 522 and 527 after noting it lacked license plates and trip permits. Washington fled, striking 20-year-old pedestrian Jalen Irvin on a scooter; Irvin suffered a broken leg. Washington then crossed a median, exited his car armed with a handgun, shouted “Come on pigs,” and fired through the driver’s side window. Officers returned fire from inside the patrol vehicle. Investigators concluded Washington’s bullets shattered the window and struck Kumcur’s firearm, causing a round fired by Kumcur to strike Shoop in the head—the fatal bullet.
Washington State Murder Law: Causation Over Direct Action
Under Washington law, a defendant may be charged with murder if his conduct directly causes or sets in motion a chain of events that leads to a death, regardless of who fires the fatal shot. Prosecutors argue Washington’s decision to flee, strike a pedestrian, and open fire initiated the gunfight that resulted in Shoop’s death, making him criminally responsible for the homicide.
Prosecutors Refile Charges Based on Competency Findings
King County prosecutors have refiled three counts: aggravated first-degree murder for Shoop’s death, attempted first-degree murder for Kumcur, and vehicular assault for the strike on Irvin, each with firearm-sentencing enhancements. The refiled indictment follows a series of competency evaluations. After an initial filing in 2020, the case was dismissed in October 2023 after 360 days of attempted restoration. Washington was civilly committed to Western State Hospital, later transferred to Maple Lane, where records show he consistently took prescribed medication, completed supervised community outings, and demonstrated understanding of his mental illness. He was accepted to the University of Phoenix for classes beginning June 2026 while continuing outpatient treatment. Prosecutors contend these developments prove Washington is now competent to stand trial, request he be held without bail, and emphasize the charges carry potential life sentences and pose a substantial danger to the community.
Defense Claim and Public Confusion
Washington has told detectives he intentionally fired into the patrol car but claimed he acted in self-defense. Prosecutors dispute that narrative, asserting the evidence shows a deliberate confrontation. The legal theory—charging a person with murder despite not firing the fatal bullet—continues to surprise many, as most assume a murder charge requires the defendant to deliver the lethal shot.
Data & Statistics
- Incident date: July 13, 2020
- Washington’s age: 43
- Victim officer: Jonathan Shoop (deceased)
- Trainee officer: Mustafa Kumcur (injured)
- Pedestrian: Jalen Irvin, 20 (broken leg)
- Charges: aggravated first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, vehicular assault, firearm enhancements
- Civil commitment expiration: July 2026
Impact and Legal Significance
The case illustrates the application of Washington’s causation-based murder statute and highlights the challenges of prosecuting individuals with serious mental illness. It may set precedent for future prosecutions where a defendant’s actions, rather than the fatal shot, are deemed the proximate cause of death.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources provide no direct statements from Washington’s defense counsel or independent assessments of his competency beyond treatment records. The public’s perception of the murder charge’s validity is noted but not formally quantified.
Verbatim Quote
“Come on pigs.” — Henry Eugene Washington, shouted during the confrontation
What’s Next
The court will review the latest competency findings, determine whether Washington will be detained without bail, and schedule a trial. His civil commitment is set to expire in July 2026, and he plans to begin university coursework while continuing outpatient mental-health and substance-use treatment.
