Charging Decision in Bite of Seattle Case

Today the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged the 15-year-old arrested at the Bite of Seattle. The case was referred by police as an assault and unlawful gun possession investigation. This is the only case referral from the Bite of Seattle that has been sent by police to our office. The charges filed by King County prosecutors are:

• Assault in the First Degree with a firearm enhancement (one count)
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the Second Degree (one count)

The assault charge is for firing multiple times into a crowd. The gun charge is for unlawfully possessing a firearm — people under age 18 cannot legally possess a handgun.

Charging documents are available through the Clerk’s Office using case number 26–8–00065–6.

When someone is charged with Assault in the First Degree as a 16- or 17-year-old in Washington state, that case moves to adult court without a hearing. When a respondent is age 15, that decision goes to a judge if prosecutors make the motion at the time the case is filed.

In this case, King County prosecutors also made a motion today to decline juvenile jurisdiction. That does not mean the case is declined. That means that prosecutors are asking a judge to allow criminal prosecution as an adult.

That determination will be made by a judge after hearing from prosecutors and defense, which is a process that typically takes several months.

King County prosecutors are asking for the respondent to remain in secure detention. That decision is up to a judge after hearing from prosecutors and defense and the juvenile probation counselor.

Some people have asked: Why not charge murder today? Police investigators have not referred the case as a murder case because the investigation is ongoing. If they refer information for additional charges, prosecutors will review that information immediately.

A possible sentencing range, if convicted as charged, depends on which court gets jurisdiction, adult court or juvenile court — and ultimately a judge’s sentencing decision. This will be addressed as part of the jurisdiction question that’s before the Court. The answer also could change if additional information is referred by police investigators.

No previous cases involving the 15-year-old were sent by police to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Respondents are innocent until proven guilty in court.

This post, published on July 29, 2026, is not expected to be updated. For updates go to the Clerk’s Office and view case numbers 26–8–00065–6.