2nd-degree murder charge in Seattle stray bullet killing
SEATTLE - A Federal Way man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a man hit by a stray bullet in May as he drove through Seattle's Central District.
The King County prosecutor's office says Andrew J. Patterson remains jailed on $2 million bail until his arraignment Aug. 2 in Seattle. He was arrested Thursday in Federal Way after investigators searched surveillance footage and worked with gang detectives to track him down.
If convicted of the murder charge with a firearm enhancement, the 20-year-old Patterson would face 15 to 23 years in prison.
Prosecutors say Patterson was firing at someone else across a street and hit Justin Ferrari as he drove through an intersection with his parents and two young children in the vehicle.
Ferrari had just picked up his parents from the airport and was leaving town for a Memorial Day weekend vacation.
The 43-year-old worked for several high-tech companies, including Zillow, Microsoft and Expedia.
Jeff Kappel of the Seattle Police said Patterson is the only suspect in the deadly shooting.
This wasn't Patterson's first run in with that law. According to state records, he was arrested in February for fourth-degree assault. Just two days earlier, he was picked up for criminal solicitation. Patterson was also arrested in 2011 when he was found with ecstasy pills after a fight in downtown Seattle.
The King County prosecutor's office says Andrew J. Patterson remains jailed on $2 million bail until his arraignment Aug. 2 in Seattle. He was arrested Thursday in Federal Way after investigators searched surveillance footage and worked with gang detectives to track him down.
If convicted of the murder charge with a firearm enhancement, the 20-year-old Patterson would face 15 to 23 years in prison.
Prosecutors say Patterson was firing at someone else across a street and hit Justin Ferrari as he drove through an intersection with his parents and two young children in the vehicle.
Ferrari had just picked up his parents from the airport and was leaving town for a Memorial Day weekend vacation.
The 43-year-old worked for several high-tech companies, including Zillow, Microsoft and Expedia.
Jeff Kappel of the Seattle Police said Patterson is the only suspect in the deadly shooting.
This wasn't Patterson's first run in with that law. According to state records, he was arrested in February for fourth-degree assault. Just two days earlier, he was picked up for criminal solicitation. Patterson was also arrested in 2011 when he was found with ecstasy pills after a fight in downtown Seattle.
My husband was grazed by a stray bullet 1/1/13..It came down from the hill--we figure--above our cabin, nicked my husband's left thumb, and took out the baggy of borrowed dog food he was walking back with. The elk, though, were more than happy to clean up the kibbles. I'm not meaning to make light--life is precious and I'm grateful to have my rock star husband in my world today. He was lucky, as was the person who shot the gun. For those who use firearms intelligently, more power to you. I think it is a wonderful right. For those who do not think before firing, please do so. You never know when you might change the life of someone you don't even know, and thereby your own. Had this bullet come down from above just 6" to the right, it could have taken much more than just a hunk of flesh and Ziploc full of dog food. Please think before you shoot. Paul--Love you....I bet you won't forget the dog food next time.
It is strange to me how they have found this person. It maybe a case of mistaken identity maybe not but if they don't have an actual video of him shooting a gun or them even finding a gun that connects to him then something fishy. Also I have lived in Seattle for about 7 years in this area and there are many young black men that could match a description of being black wearing red and having braids and the most craziest thing is that in other reports it states that the intended victim is saying he doesn't think its him. I honestly hope the media hasn't just picked up someone so that residents have a thought that a killer is off the streets.
It doesn't say exactly how they determined it was him, just that the gang unit was used to track him down. His identity could have been ratted out by the people he was with; they might have even been able to strike a little deal in exchange for the shooters identity. It's not usually hard to figure out who did the crime, it's finding them and proving it that's difficult.
KOMO, you can remove this ugly punk's mug off the internet now. =)
I hope he is also charge with violating:
RCW 9.41.050
RCW 9.41.230
RCW 9.41.240
RCW 9.41.270
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I hope they also prosecute whoever sold/gave the pistol to him.
first degree murder second degree murder... murder is murder the suspect meant to induce harm and it resulted in an innocent being killed... execute this and others like him eventually we will kill off more of them fast than they can multiply to commit more crimes... we do not need a bunch of d-bags like the one up here sharing the same planet as the rest of us who can follow the law!
Where is Charles Bronson when you need him??
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Get that little twerp of the streets for good!
Approx 5 years with good behavior...unreal...The Justice Dept doesn't want to infringe on his civil right to take blind pot shots at people driving through his neighborhood...like he actually owns property or pays taxes.
He looks like everyone owes him something !?
Jessie Jackson Allen Sharpton where are to voice thew outrage of a reckless killer !Â
Since Ridgeway didn't get capital punishment, nobody should.  If you cannot use capital punishment on a serial killer then how can you on a simple murder. Â
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My heart goes out to the Ferrari family.
Where's the "Dislike" or "thumbs down" button on this new platform?
@anon4444 Komo feels that the thumbs down button limits conversation. In other words.. The Komo monitors are under 30 yo and donât believe in criticism. Only time outs, counting to 3 and negotiating punishment. So if you post an opposing opinion you are now reported, deleted and then band. Welcome to the new system. Be extremely nice. Donât have an opposing view and with the thumb up count you could be the most popular person here. BS I say. Identify people with good conversation and show when a troll is in the mix.
"Prosecutors say Patterson was firing at someone else across a street and hit Justin Ferrari as he drove through an intersection with his parents and two young children in the vehicle."
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Oh, well, he was aiming for someone else. So this makes it all better then? GIVE ME A BREAK. Mr. Ferrari is still dead.
Great job battling crime Mr. Mayor. An easy 15 years (at the most) and he gets out for all of us to enjoy another round of murder from this nitwit. And 2nd degree murder for missing your target and killing someone else. Fantastic! Why don't we just quit advertising Seattle as a tourist destination and start advertising it as the place to come and wash all your worries away for murder charges. Please, come and do whatever it is you need to do here. We have absolutely zero tolerance for teaching anyone a lesson. You can even murder 48 woman in this state and still get a warm breaky in your tummy every morning. Unbelievable.
@victory1 I hear your frustration and agree but even as much as I hate our mayor it doesn't land on him. You have to point the finger at the prosecuter and the RCW's that our legislature creates. Ridgeway should have met the needle. Period! Each one of his murders was planned, that makes 48 counts of Murder 1. Norm ignored his duties to the citizens of KC and gave him a life sentence. I think Karma let Norm know he was wrong. This little sbag was charged with M2 because that is what the RCW's say it is. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.32 I think if you take a life in this manner you surrender your life. But this is Washington and we will see him on the streets in less than 10. I don't believe in gun control...I believe in criminal control. One is a right the other is not.
Two words at the big house making the rounds 'Fresh Meat'.
"If convicted of the murder charge with a firearm enhancement, the 20-year-old Patterson would face 15 to 23 years in prison."
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15 to 23 years in prison, in Washington? Â Not going to happen, ever.Â
@3rase I'm betting he will recieve 15, out in 7-8. We'll see more victims from this d-bag. Time to end the insanity and start serving sentences a life for a life.
Well it seems that the Mayor's and the Federal prosecutor's dog and pony show several weeks back claiming that to battle gun crime in Seattle they would utilize federal prosecution didn't last very long. Still if they can put him away for 15 to 20 years on state charges why didn't we see more use of these statutes before. Perhaps it is because in Seattle we are to concerned about hurting the perps and his communitys feelings.
As a society we are only as strong as the weakest link in the chain. It's sad, but increasingly it's the lowest common denominator that defines who we are.
 @Bellevue Scott Okay, that was one of the biggest loads of crap I've ever read. Lowest common denominator may define you but not me. By your logic we're all pedophiles and murderers.
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Quite the opposite. We as a society are defined with how we deal with those aberrations. They do not define us in any way.
@Middle Ground @Bellevue Scott I was going to say BS also. As MG did. But as I think about the post, itâs not far off. If we look at what is going on in the South end with gang crime. Black on black gang crime. There are many great young black males that are good people. But those weak links cast a shadow upon them. I wouldn't make the broad statement of society and would choose a different word but he has a point. Call me a racist or a bigot..I really don't care but I have my guard up around young black males especially when they are dressed a certain way. Stereotypes may be wrong but I refuse to be a victim. It's not just black. Latino with chinos and a flannel, whitey with Jorts and a oversized NFL jersey, Black with baggy and a puffy coat. I don't have time for them and usually have my gun ready if one of the them approaches. So yes we do have weakest links that ruin it.
So someone called this idiot a name and he responded by pulling out a gun and firing it? Just another savage with poor impulse control and anger management issues. He will be even more dangerous once he's released from prison.
 @StringerJoe I totally agree. At only 20 years of age he WILL be back unless he gets killed in prison.
Saw his little girlfriend on tv last night, saying he didn't do it, that there is no way...I was just laughing...
At least they caught this little thug. The police probably put extra effort since he didn't kill another gang-banger.Â
What the heck happened to "three strikes"? This guy is nothing but trouble.
Wouldn't it be nice if there was an island we could ship all the gang delinquents to? Then they can all wreck havoc on each other and leave the innocent alone.
@K8Lee I think instead of calling him "a Federal Way man" they should call him "a Federal Way punk." I look at that picture any don't see a man.
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He needs to be locked up for life. He should not be rewarded with only getting a charge of 2nd degree vs first degree just because he can't aim properly!!!!!Â
 @The WA Mama No, I don't want to be contributing to his support at the tune of close to $30k a year (today) for three hots and a cot. He should be executed.
Bring back public hangings. Â Then maybe these POS will think before they act.
 @KRM66 Not unless the capital punishment law is actually used. As it is today a large number of murderers are never caught, if caught never stand trial for capital murder, if convicted of capital murder are rarely sentenced to death and if sentenced to death the average wait to execution is around ten years. Not much of a deterrent at all.
What about transferred intent? Maybe this doesn't exist in WA, but if memory serves, in CA if you intend to kill one person, and kill another person through those intentional efforts, the intent transfers and *shazam* first degree murder. Also, were is the gang activity sentencing modifiers? Not surprised that he is from Federal Way...
 @Fugonn There's no such law. Anyone that tells you there is, is pulling your chain. There is however, a "murder during commission of a felony" law.
 @Middle Ground Transferred intent is a very well established legal theory that, clearly you are just unfamiliar with. AND, it is a legal theory that is employed in other areas of criminal law in Washington State. See State v. Elmi 138 Wn. App. 306. SO, where do I "come up with this crap?" I came up with it from law school - I don't practice criminal law, so I don't know what does and does not apply in Washington state criminal law.
@Middle Ground I think thier thinking of the law that says if you plan a murder such as your ex-wife and in the act of mudering her (Murder 1) and someone shows up such as a neighbor and you kill them too (Murder 2), you are charged with Murder 1 for both. He was charged with Murder 2 because it wasn't premeditated and the burden of guilt for M1 is much greater. M2 becomes an easy prosecution and a plea deal will most likely happen. In a year we'll hear he plead guilty, a month after we'll hear he was sentenced to 10 to 15 years. 5 Years later we'll read about him in the paper when he kills someone else while under DOC supervision out on parole. That is our so called justice system in Washington. I say hang in front of the court house. It's time to end the insanity.
 @Fugonn That is the law here, too.  No idea why it wouldn't apply.
 @Jerome O'Neil There's no such law. Good grief. Where do you guys come up with this crap?
 @Jerome O'Neil The DA likely figured that getting a 2nd degree conviction would be a slam dunk, 1st degree (even if appropriate) not nearly as much so (you may not get the whole jury to buy the transferred intent thing). A simple conviction expedience thing.
@Fugonn and how about the additional federal firearms charge?
And it's second degree because he was aiming at someone else???
 @Linda32 They can't prove premeditation. That's what makes it second degree.
 @Middle Ground When he pulled the gun out he intended to shoot with the likelyhood of killing someone. Its not like he was doing a robbery that went bad and the gun went off. When he had the gun out he did not want to rob someone. He intended to shoot someone. We know this because he pulled the trigger.
 @Granny_MAC Nope. Doesn't work like that. Unfortunately, any "heat of the moment" crime is considered as not premeditated. Bummer, huh?
 @Linda32 That's what I was thinking, He meant to kill someone, It shouldn't matter if he didn't kill his intended target, he still accomplished his goal.
Could someone please tell me whatever happened to the 3 strikes and you are out law? This turd needs to be put in the cage for good.
 @STK The prior convictions are misdemeanors.
 @STK None of the crimes he's been convicted of were felonies. The prosecutor is seeking the firearm enhancement due to the fact he was arrested a month ago for DV 4th degree and a condition of his release while waiting for trial that he not possess a gun. 3 Strikes is for violent felonies. This will be strike 1. I say put a needle in his arm and end the insanity.
 @STK Unfortunately it doesn't appear that he's been convicted in his other crimes yet.