RENTON, Wash. — A man is behind bars, accused of shooting and killing another man in a Renton grocery store on Tuesday night.
The suspect’s first court hearing was held on Wednesday. He did not appear in front of a judge and is accused of second-degree murder.
According to investigators, the suspect shot the victim multiple times, including in the face.
Jalapenos Mexican Grocery in the Renton Highlands, where the shooting took place, reopened on Wednesday and was busy as usual.
Less than 24 hours earlier, the bustling store on NE 4th St. became a crime scene, and its employees and customers were witnesses.
“It is frightening for everyone,” Meeghan Black, spokesperson for the Renton Police Department, said.
Store employees who did not want to appear on camera told KIRO 7 that a man came into the store on Tuesday night and started arguing with several different customers. One of those arguments turned deadly.
“At this point in time, we don’t know exactly what that argument was all about,” Black said.
Renton police investigators reported the whole thing was caught on the store’s security cameras.
According to court documents, the footage shows the suspect and victim arguing. The victim reportedly threw a punch at the suspect, who pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots.
Investigators said when they got there, the victim was dead and the suspect was preparing to drive away in his car.
“A lot of people are screaming, ‘That’s the guy, that’s the guy’ to the SUV that was fleeing the scene,” Black said.
An officer reportedly chased the SUV, but its driver bailed and ran into the woods. Police brought in dogs and a helicopter to track him down but could not find him. They reportedly looked over their body cam footage, ran the car’s plates and recognized its owner as the suspect.
They then staked out his house.
“Our officers formed a perimeter around the residence and while our detectives were investigating the crime scene, they were waiting,” Black said. “Shortly after midnight, the suspect came home and he was arrested without incident.”
In court, prosecutors accused the suspect of second-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The judge only agreed on the second-degree murder charge. The suspect has not been charged and is due back in court on Thursday for a bail hearing.
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