Prosecutor: Road rage killing suspect seen in sharpshooter video
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SEATTLE - Investigators believe a video of murder suspect Dinh Bowman excelling during a shooting competition could help solve their case against him in the killing of Yancy Noll.
Bowman is accused of gunning down Noll, 42, in cold blood on Aug. 31 when he pulled up opposite him in his silver BMW at a North Seattle intersection, possibly after a road rage incident.
Now prosecutors say that video of Bowman at a pistol shooting competition in Puyallup may become an important piece of evidence in the case. It shows that he is an excellent shot - hitting one target after another in rapid-fire succession.
"One-handed, firing at a series of targets, hitting every one of them square on ... both right-handed and left-handed," says W. Scott O'Toole of the King County Prosecutor's Office.
Bowman was arrested Friday after police received an anonymous tip from someone who said Bowman matched the description of the suspect in the killing and that he drove a silver BMW like the one seen in surveillance video on the day of the shooting.
Investigators say at least three bullets hit Noll in the head. He died at the scene while seated behind the wheel of his car at NE 75th and 15th Avenue NE.
A judge has ordered Bowman held in the King County Jail without bail.
"There's a concern that somebody who could even, if impulsive, could act this way, presents a danger to the community," says O'Toole.
Police tell KOMO News they found a so-called "gun room" during Friday's search of Bowman's home, filled with bullet-making equipment, ammunition and rifles. They also found evidence he owns at least one handgun.
A safety officer at the Puyallup gun range confirmed the video of the shooting competition was taken at his facility, but does not remember Bowman - and does not recognize him as a member of the gun club.
Prosecutors say they believe the video helps confirm in their minds that they've got the right man.
"It shows his interest and proficiency with weapons, what we believe is consistent with the person who committed the murder of Yancy Noll," says O'Toole.
Court documents also say the passenger window appeared to have been replaced on Bowman's BMW and new tires put on the car, but that fragments of shattered glass were found in the vehicle and the garage.
Prosecutors expect to file murder charges against Bowman by Tuesday.
Bowman is accused of gunning down Noll, 42, in cold blood on Aug. 31 when he pulled up opposite him in his silver BMW at a North Seattle intersection, possibly after a road rage incident.
Now prosecutors say that video of Bowman at a pistol shooting competition in Puyallup may become an important piece of evidence in the case. It shows that he is an excellent shot - hitting one target after another in rapid-fire succession.
"One-handed, firing at a series of targets, hitting every one of them square on ... both right-handed and left-handed," says W. Scott O'Toole of the King County Prosecutor's Office.
 Yancy Noll |
Bowman was arrested Friday after police received an anonymous tip from someone who said Bowman matched the description of the suspect in the killing and that he drove a silver BMW like the one seen in surveillance video on the day of the shooting.
Investigators say at least three bullets hit Noll in the head. He died at the scene while seated behind the wheel of his car at NE 75th and 15th Avenue NE.
A judge has ordered Bowman held in the King County Jail without bail.
"There's a concern that somebody who could even, if impulsive, could act this way, presents a danger to the community," says O'Toole.
Police tell KOMO News they found a so-called "gun room" during Friday's search of Bowman's home, filled with bullet-making equipment, ammunition and rifles. They also found evidence he owns at least one handgun.
 Dinh Bowman |
A safety officer at the Puyallup gun range confirmed the video of the shooting competition was taken at his facility, but does not remember Bowman - and does not recognize him as a member of the gun club.
Prosecutors say they believe the video helps confirm in their minds that they've got the right man.
"It shows his interest and proficiency with weapons, what we believe is consistent with the person who committed the murder of Yancy Noll," says O'Toole.
Court documents also say the passenger window appeared to have been replaced on Bowman's BMW and new tires put on the car, but that fragments of shattered glass were found in the vehicle and the garage.
Prosecutors expect to file murder charges against Bowman by Tuesday.
What? So he can shoot and practices and THAT makes him a murder? So what about the police? THEY practice and some of them do reload their own ammo and have gun rooms? This prosecutor is nuts.
This reminds me of OJ's trial. There was a lot of "circumstantial" evidence against OJ, but nobody could place him there. Officially he was found innocent. Only he and God knows the truth. It does no good to PRE-JUDGE based on what the media writes.
...and if he did, how is it that if he was an expert marksman, he miss 2 of 5 shots at close range? It just does not make sense.
This is a perfect example of how the media is convicting before trial. yes, the evidence is strong, but circumstantial...Unless there is a smoking gun, and a witness that can place him there, he has the right for a fair trial. I don't judge, and neither should anybody else. DUE PROCESS!!!!
3/5 at close range is not "good".
I also am good at wearing sunglasses and driving a girlie beamer (don't own one). Am I a suspect?
Maybe good at using a pencil too. Was there a murder note at the scene?
Oh and I do own a couple of pistols.
RIP Yancy Noll and the virginity of Dihn Bowman's rear end.
 @Seth Maartens You have absolutely no class. Ex-convict I take it?
 @Seth Maartens Dude, I seriously didn't need that picture in my head right now...
I'm new to this message board so obviously I'm missing previous arguments over the prejudice in reporting pertaining to gun issues and the manner in which KOMO reports news stories involving guns and firearms. I'm not quite grasping everybody's criticism of KOMO's reporting. A news article is a news article, isn't it? It isn't as if KOMO is editorializing their stance on guns. Â
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I for one feel that KOMO would be remiss if they didn't mention Bowman's fascination with guns. I'd also find it interesting that he was such a marksman and would feel cheated if news agencies left this out of their story.  When KOMO's reporter is interviewing the police or a representative of the prosecutor's office, I believe they should report what they have been told. Why shouldn't they?Â
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I don't interpret anything in the above news report that KOMO is hanging this guy prematurely because he has a room full of guns, has been to the gun range, or is an excellent marksman. They are reporting what they have been told by police or the prosecutor.Â
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I would not be happy if the local news agencies in town did not tell us these facts about Bowman. Should they just leave out of their reporting that Bowman has a room full of guns, the video of him at the gun range, the fact that he is an excellent marksman, that he has bullet making equipment at his house, etc.? It seems to me that KOMO and other news agencies are just reporting what they've been told by investigators and not only state such but give the source of the citations.Â
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I'm not politically savvy so maybe I'm missing something.
 @mandy h The key point to whether or what is reported is whether the reporter is reporting things that are not relevant but can be used to malign the suspect. In this case, its clear the guy is a creep, has a volatile temper, etc. The fact he is a good shot is relevant for whether or not he could hit a person in a moving car but whether or not he had a bunch of guns and the other stuff doesn't add anything relevant. There are literally millions of households with more guns and ammo than this guy but those people are as sane as you and do not make these people crazy.
 @SeattleJoe  @mandy h Please re-read the article. Where in this article does it mention that he has a violent temper? If he was as good a shot as they are reporting, then how is it that he only hit the man 3 of 5? The car was NOT moving. It amazes me that people can be as ignorant as you based on the little facts that are brought forth by the media. Keep in mind that this guy was a child prodigy, successful electrical engineer, and an expert fencemen. This does not sound like a creep.There has to bore to this story. The only damaging evidence is the car, but keep in mind that NOBODY CAN PLACE HIM AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME...there were no witnesses that could ID him.
KOMO you are ridiculous in this article! I am a competitor, a "good shot" and have a "so called gun room with loading equipment" in my home. Really? Every gun owner does! I am not a criminal just because of these. This was the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
 @ruffaw I agree with you! The media is gong to make this trial, if it goes to trial, nearly impossible to get impartial. The media has already convicted him.
I don't know if he's guilty or not, it's for the cops and the courts to figure it out, but the fact that he's a good shot should have nothing to do the investigation.
 @lmdk2 You are totally correct. I am afraid that the media has already tried and convicted him.
@lmdk2 3 bullets to the head is a good enough reason for me. how many people are able to shoot- from one car to another - and hit a target 3 times with that kind of precision? He's not a good shot, he is a marksman
 @skinnygirl  @lmdk2 A marksman would have connected on 5 of 5...especially at close range. He missed on 2, and the car was not even moving!
 @skinnygirl  @lmdk2 The distance between drivers in two cars side-by-side is less than 15 feet. Marksman? I'd want an explantation for missing at that distance.
 @skinnygirl  @lmdk2 Granted the movement aspect makes it more difficult but the cars would literally only be a few feet apart. To shoot that close doesn't take much of a marksman but the movement would.Â
WE need more government regulation to stop this type of crime. The BMW was registered in his name and he still used it in the commission of a crime. Background checks at every BMW dealership and registering the serial number of every glass part that could shatter should be mandatory. He should also be restricted to only using cars titled to him and not allowed to buy them at notorious "Car Shows"
 @Xirxious Well put but the anti-gunners are going to flip and use all sorts of "this isn't relevant" type arguments.
Why aren't you libs yelling hate crime??? Asian kills white guy...
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White guilt......again!! Lib silence is deafening but then you folks elected a president based on that. (sorry to be political but this type of thinking goes from the streets of Seattle to DC)
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And I agree with many of these bloggers if this "suspected" killer acted in as heinous manner as it being presented then he deserves the severest punishment our liberal judges can give...out in 10-15..??!!
 @Truth Percolates This is the perfect example of a person being guilty before he even has a trial. You people, and media, have already convicted him. THIS IS AMERICA...doesn't everybody have a right to a fair trial? Not in this town apparently.
 @Truth Percolates Apparently you need to understand the definition of a "hate crime."  but since your entire goal is to - once again - demonstrate your own bigotry disguised as political ideology, your ranting is ludicrous.
 @Truth Percolates FINALLY somebody else gets it! Guys like this are why we have the Aryan Brotherhood in prison waiting for em. ;-)
@Truth Percolates hmmm... who is the predjudiced person here? why can't you just stick to the facts and not try to turn everything racist?
 @skinnygirl  @Truth But thats the point. Every little thing that remotely could be construed as racist is used to bash conservatives etc by the liberals and Truth Percolates was pointing that out. The problem is its just as weak an argument as when liberals call conservatives racist. Kind of a pointless argument overall.
Obviously, whatever he put his mind to he excelled at. Doesn't diminish the tragedy at hand. Would be interesting to know WHY he did what he did because there might something to learn from it (and help others who may be on the brink themselves).
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This is not an easy "he's evil, kill him" case and I think society has an opportunity to do something positive from this.
 @theToucan I agree we can learn something from this case, and I always cringe at the "we should hang him now before he goes to trial" type comments. I've still formed an opinion (which remains to be proven- that's important knowing the difference between fact and opinion, and some folks don't understand that on comment boards). I've seen some people on the road that look like they're going to give them self an aneurism raging out in the car. There are people who are proud of being overly aggressive. This guy seems like he feels pretty darn entitled to everything.
The skill Bowman shows in competition is impressive...but what shocks me is the rationale (if any) that went through his mind to even perform such a "random" act on Noll. This is truly shocking to the conscience...
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Prayers go out to the victim's family...
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 @Jason If Bowman is found guilty, then I would agree with everything you wrote. There is a lot of circumstantial evidence, however, nothing proving that he pulled the trigger. Yes, prayers go out to the victim family,... BUT ALSO BOWMAN'S FAMILY AS WELL.
Isn't that awesome that people like this freak able to buy guns?
 @Larry*X*K Freak? How do you figure?
Bowman definitely deserve prison for indefinite time !!
Not saying his wife is involved, but would want to know more about her. Â Was she oblivious to what was going on the last few days?
 @HullenbeckCowl I hope she called in the tip. I imagine she may have had reason to fear him. When I was young and dating, an aggressive driver was always a red flag for me. Guys who were willing to risk their life, mine, and the lives of strangers in traffic just to get somewhere a few seconds sooner were not second date material.
Another loose cannon committed a senseless murder. Â Just because he couldn't keep his anger at bay. Â He shot thru his own passenger side window? Â Wow, was he that angry? Â Or was that an act of self-defense? Â I think it's the former. Â I heard he had intelligence and education. Â So what? Â That doesn't mean he was capable of controlling his anger. Â In fact, in the previous story, someone, who knew him, said the he had volatile personality. Â So I assume he's had mood swings and anger management issue. Â
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@Je t'aime... There's a lot of folks who do the kind of shooting that this clown is shown doing. It's not unusual that people do this.  It's not a really common activity for the majority of folks, but many very stable, normal people do this kind of training/shooting.Â
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It's not an indication of the instability of this clown that he did this kind of shooting, however - it is very much a part of the clown's mental makeup, so it does make it a significant fact within the guy's life.
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 @FormerMarineSgt  @Je I don't think she was commenting on good marksmanship so much as commenting on his volatile personality. I like shooting things. I am a fierce killer of beer cans, and empty milk jugs fear me. But, it will never occur to me to shoot a human being who is not attacking me.
"....that Dihn Bowman is an excellent marksman."
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WAS an excellent marksman, KOMO! He'll never get to shoot a gun ever again.
@Seth Maartens don't bet on it. Maybe not legally, but he won't spend his life behind bars, and it seems to be way too easy to get a gun illegally.
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 @amr201  @Seth I'm not so sure about that, amr201. Have you considered the very real possibility that even if he doesn't receive capital punishment or a life sentence, his prison term will effectively be a death sentence cuz he'll get murdered by other inmates?
The funny thing is that he might have gotten away with it if he remembered to put down his passenger window.Â
@KH You're forgetting it took a "tip" to catch this guy.
 @KH No he wouldn't have. It just would've taken a lot longer to track him down. Ballistics has advanced to the point where bullets can be traced to the actual weapon itself and the Cops would run a trace on all people in the greater Seattle area who owned Z4s who also were registered gun owners. The fact that he forgot to roll down his passenger side window made it a whole lot easier for his sorry ass to be tracked down and nailed.
 @Seth Maartens   What's a "registered gun owner?"  He could have bought all his guns used and therefore, not be "registered" anywhere.  As for ballistics, you need to have the gun you suspect was used in the crime first, then you can run ballistics tests on bullets you fire from your suspect gun to match up with the bullets recovered from the crime scene.
@Seth Maartens @KH You're right, it would have taken longer to find him or maybe just as long. However, ballistics have not advanced to the point where bullets can be traced to the actual firearm. That's all Hollywood stuff. Although some labs and scientists like to show-off what they can do for the media cameras, they don't always admit that it's a very inexact science. Simple lapping of the barrel or rust can change the "fingerprint" of the bullet.
 @777 There are also other tools forensic science has besides ballistics, 777. If you're trying to argue that he could've gotten away with it I call BS. It simply would've taken more time. Murders that took place decades ago are being solved with modern technology. The only way you could actually get away with murder is to leave the country immediately and never return.
It was premeditated,so lets just fry him and get on with society without him.
 @Thyroid Road rage can be pre-meditated?
 @SeattleJoe  @Thyroid The choice to shoot can be premeditated - premeditation happens in "...more than a moment in point of time."  It doesn't have to be planned out - but the act of driving up alongside the vehicle, drawing your weapon, aiming it and firing 3 rounds, that would likely constitute premeditation. Â
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I recall a case where they were trying to determine which of 6 rounds actually killed the victim - they felt the first round may have been a "heat of the moment" type of thing but subsequent rounds might constitute premeditation... it's a sticky topic for sure.Â
 @Datsuyama  @SeattleJoe  @ThyroidÂ
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If this was a "random" killing (not preceeded by roadrage), then it is clearly "more than a moment in time" and planned out. If it was a result of road "rage" then the "rage" portion can come across as a "heat" of the moment/passion type of crime. I guess alot of it will come down to the ability of the prosecutor to articulate the mental and applicable, physical preparation Bowman took prior to killing Noll.
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I think the "shooting out of a motor vehicle" verbiage is set up to address drive by type shootings. It could also be 1st degree murder by being an example of an "extreme indifference to human life" (drive by shootings/random shootings)...then there is no need for premeditation.
 @SeattleJoe  @ThyroidÂ
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Well, I believe it's still considered aggravated first degree murder and a capital offense punishable by death. Washington RCW10.95.020 says a person is guilty of a class A felony (aggravated first degree murder) if "the murder was committed during the course of or as a result of a shooting where the discharge of the firearm, as defined in RCW 9.41.010, is either from a motor vehicle or from the immediate area of a motor vehicle that was used to transport the shooter or the firearm, or both, to the scene of the discharge"Â
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I'm not well versed on the law so somebody may have to help me out with that definition.
 @SeattleJoe  @Thyroid Sometime it can. Be even if it isn't, he needs to be killed. If the state won't do it, hopefully another inmate will.
 @Seth Maartens  @Thyroid In my mind if its premeditated then it aint road rage, its simple murder...