Tag Archives: shooting

Local

New details in Mount Vernon political sign murder emerge

[MOUNT VERNON] – (MTN) A Skagit County judge reduced bail for Angela Conjin, 55, to $250,000 in a hearing on Wednesday, as new details emerge about the events that left 32-years old Kamran Cohee dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

Cohee’s boyfriend, Joshua Tyron said that he and Cohee were out for a day of sledding, and stopped to lower the air pressure in the tires of his truck before driving further on the snow-covered road, according to KING 5 of Seattle. He admits to seeing the Loren Culp sign in the yard and removing it.

John Conjin, the spouse of Angela emerged from the home and he and Tyron got into a physical fight. Both parties provided different stories of how the physical fight started and what happened during it, but both parties are consistent in the actions committed by Ms. Conjin. After the fight had ended and both Cohee and Tyron were at their truck, Conjin emerged from her home with a gun firing several shots, striking Cohee in the head, killing her. Both sides stated that Cohee wasn’t involved in the theft of the sign or the earlier fight between the two men.

John Conjin has been charged with fourth-degree assault for his actions on Saturday. Tyron has not been charged, but prosecutors have not ruled out potential charges for him. Prosecutors have charged Anglea Conjin with second-degree murder using a magistrate warrant, which provides prosecutors 30 days to process formal charges. During her bail hearing, Brett Purtzer, Conjin’s attorney, argued this was a self-defense case. Prosecutors countered that by reports from all parties the fight was over and Cohee wasn’t involved in the altercation when Angela shot the 32-year-old woman.

Ms. Conjin was able to post bail and is out of jail. As part of her bail conditions, she had to surrender all firearms and ammunition in her home.

Local

SPD releases video of the officer-involved shooting of a suicidal man

This video is extremely graphic in nature, viewer discretion is advised

[SEATTLE] – (MTN) The Seattle Police Department released a video of the fatal officer-involved shooting on February 16. Seattle police responded to a 911 call about a suicidal man along the Seattle waterfront who had a kitchen knife and had used it to cut himself. Two officers fired on the man, killing him on the scene.

The video includes the 9:20 PM 911 call asking for Seattle Police, with arriving officers knowing the individual was suicidal, armed, and had used the knife to cut himself. The video shows two officers arriving in a cruiser, and noting he was armed. From the time the passenger door of the police cruiser was opened to the shooting is 14 seconds.

The distraught man alternates from putting his hands up and making motions with the knife while yelling at officers, “do it, do it,” and asking to die. On Tuesday night, Seattle Police stated they used de-escalation techniques and less-lethal weapons were deployed with no effect. The released video doesn’t show less-lethal options being used nor does it show any attempt to negotiate with the distraught man.

https://malcontentment.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SPD-Suicidal-Person-Shooting.mp4
SEATTLE POLICE RELEASED A VIDEO SHOWING THE OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING ON FEBRUARY 16. tHE VIDEO IS EXTREMELY GRAPHIC – VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

Two officers remain on administrative leave per department procedure.

A vigil and protest were marred tonight by violence when right-wing protesters bear maced a group, with reports of fights breaking out. A window was smashed at Westlake Center, but Seattle Police didn’t respond. Independent journalists at the protest tonight reported that the right-wing protesters were armed, and during the conflict where bear mace was deployed, a weapon was displayed. Several well-known protesters and independent journalists from Portland were in Seattle tonight both filming and acting as counterprotesters.

Tuesday’s shooting was the second fatal police shooting in a week.

Local

Bail set at $500K for Mount Vernon political sign murder

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[MOUNT VERNON] – (MTN) Bail was set for $500,000 for Angela Marie Conjin in Skagit County Superior Court this morning. Conjin is accused of shooting a 32-year-old Arlington woman over an altercation involving a political sign for Loren Culp.

According to the Skagit County Sheriff’s department, John Conjin, the husband of Angela Conjin, told authorities he saw a suspicious vehicle that he thought could be involved in mail theft. He went outside to confront the occupants and an argument ensued. Mr. Conjin claims he got into a physical altercation with the driver of the truck, that continued to his front porch, and there was an attempt to steal the campaign sign. The female passenger of the pickup truck got out of the vehicle, and at about the same Ms. Conjin emerged from the home with a firearm, firing several shots. The 32-year-old woman who was killed had not been involved in the earlier physical interaction.

The man in the pickup claims he was punched by Mr. Conjin through an open window before engaging in a further altercation.

Police arrested John Conjin for assault in the fourth degree, a misdemeanor, and arrested Angela Conjin for investigation of second-degree murder. Mr. Conjin has been released, while Ms. Conjin was formally charged on Tuesday afternoon and is still in Skagit County Jail.

Police have not identified the other man who fought with Mr. Conjin, nor if he will face any criminal charges. Authorities have not identified the name of the 32-year old victim. Malcontent News has the name but is withholding it pending confirmed notification to the next of kin.

Public records show Anglea Conjin was a teacher’s aide for the Sedro-Wooley School District. In 2019 she trained to be a hairstylist and started working for La Conner Hair Design. Calls and messages to La Conner Hair Design went unanswered. Investigators have not released the nature of the political sign, but a report from Seattle TV station KING 5, indicates it was a Loren Culp Sign. Loren Culp lost the gubernatorial election in Washington state by 545,000 votes but refused to concede and made baseless allegations of fraud without evidence. Public records show Conjin is a registered Republican in the state of Washington.

Breaking News, Local

BREAKING: Seattle police fatally shoot suicidal man

UPDATED: February 16, 2021 @ 11:23 PM

[SEATTLE] – (MTN) The Seattle Police Department has reported a man is dead after an officer-involved shooting on Alaskan Way and University along the waterfront. Video of the scene showed a large police presence during the ongoing investigation. The police scanner records indicate officers were called to engage with a suicidal man who had a knife. The man started to approach the officers and he was shot. A Public Information Officer stated the man was shot by two officers, was white, and was declared dead at the scene.

STATEMENT BY SEATTLE POLICE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER V. CARLSON

According to a transcript of Seattle Police radio traffic, Seattle police officers were responding to a call of a suicidal man at 9:19 PM. A minute later, officers requested a unit with “40mm,” which would a less-lethal device. At 9:22 radio traffic indicated police has spotted the individual by the cruise dock and had a knife in his left hand. At 9:23 PM police stated, “shots fired, suspect down.”

TWITTER VIDEO OF SPD IMMEDIATELY AFTER POLICE SHOOTING OF AN ALLEGEDLY SUICIDAL MAN

Alaskan Way and surrounding streets along the waterfront are closed and people are being asked to avoid the area.

Breaking News, Local

Mount Vernon woman arrested for second-degree murder over political sign

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UPDATED: February 16, 2021 @ 11:38 PM – neighbors are reporting it was a Loren Culp sign, and not a Donald Trump sign

[MOUNT VERNON] – (MTN) A 32-year-old Arlington woman is dead, and her assailant is in Skagit County jail under investigation for her murder. Skagit County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 55-year old Angela Marie Conjin on second-degree murder charges and her husband John for fourth-degree assault. Anglea Conjin is being held without bail pending her first hearing. Conjin is accused of shooting the 32-year old victim to death after her husband and another man allegedly got into a fight over a Loren Culp sign that was in Conjin’s yard.

According to goskagit.com, deputies responded to a 911 call on Saturday around 5:30 PM, reporting a fight in progress. As deputies were en route, they received another 911 call stating a person had been shot at the same address.

Deputies arrived to find the 32-year-old Arlington woman dead in the driveway. According to a statement made by the sheriff’s department, officers spoke with the home occupants and arrested the couple without incident. Conjin’s first court appearance scheduled for today was canceled. The Skagit County Prosector’s Office reported that charges were filed today using a committee magistrate warrant, and Conjin will have her first hearing on Wednesday at 8:30 AM. Brett Purtzer of Tacoma is her attorney and has a history of taking cases where defendants plead self-defense or mental anguish.

Public records show Anglea Conjin was a teacher’s aide for the Sedro-Wooley School District. In 2019 she trained to be a hairstylist and started working for La Conner Hair Design. Calls and messages to La Conner Hair Design went unanswered. Investigators have not released the nature of the political sign, but a report from Seattle TV station KING 5, indicates it was a Loren Culp Sign. Loren Culp lost the gubernatorial election in Washington state by 545,000 votes but refused to concede and made baseless allegations of fraud without evidence. Public records show Conjin is a registered Republican in the state of Washington.

Conjin’s background indicates she has had financial troubles in the past, including a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but has no prior criminal record.

You can read our latest update by clicking this link.

Uncategorized

Thurston County prosecutor refuses to charge Forest Machala

Thurston County prosecutor has elected not to charge Forest Machala with assault in the first degree or any other felony. On December 5, 2020, Machala was arrested for shooting a Black 20-year old counterprotester while attending a “stop the steal” anti-mask protest in Olympia. Washington State Police decided there was sufficient evidence to support the assault in the first degree charge, the equivalent of attempted murder in Washington state, based on eyewitness accounts, testimony of the victim, and video in the area.

The prosecutor’s actions send the charges back to the Washington State Patrol to request more evidence to support the charge. Machala was released on $50,000 bail shortly after being arrested. He has been staying in Bellingham as part of the conditions of his release. Prosecutors also dropped the restraining order between Machala and the shooting victim, and Machala can begin the process to have his guns returned to him.

The city prosecutor’s office in Olympia is closed for Christmas, so no comment is available on whether the city will pursue misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor charges against Machala. Stephen Kurtz was also arrested on December 5 for gross misdemeanor assault and failure to disperse. He was charged by the city of Olympia and is out on $1000 bail. In the Kurtz case, multiple journalists caught him brandishing a handgun, which police also witnessed.

BIPOC, Local

Olympia marred by right-wing violence on December 12

Video

From Malcontentment Happy Hour, December 14, 2020

Forest Machala charged with first-degree assault and Stephen Kurtz charged with four-degree assault

Stop the Steal and anti-mask protesters clashed with counterprotesters in Olympia, Washington. When it was over there were three arrests and one person shot.

Forest Machala is facing first-degree assault charges, the equivalent of attempted murder in Washington state, for his actions on December 12, 2020.

Video shows violence and has racial slurs. Viewer discretion is advised.

BIPOC, National

Right-Wing election violence accelerates across the United States

Video

From Malcontentment Happy Hour, December 14, 2020

Washington D.C., Portland, Sacramento, Olympia, and Lexington see a violence-marred weekend

From Washington D.C., to Louisville, to Seattle, to Sacramento, to Portland, political violence rocked the United States.

BIPOC, Breaking News, Editorial, Health and Lifestyle, Local, National

Malcontentment Happy Hour: December 14, 2020

Video

Our live webcast from the Seattle Anarchist Jurisdiction

malcontentment happy hour – December 14, 2020
  • Governor Inslee proposes several equity measures for the upcoming state budget
  • Up to 40 million Americans face homelessness in 2021 and a $2.5 trillion transfer in wealth will happen if Congress doesn’t act
  • COVID vaccine arrives in Washington, but don’t take those masks off just yet
  • Right-wing violence from racists, domestic terrorists, and militant Trump supporters continues to escalate
  • Olympia Washington protest on Saturday, December 12, 2020 results in one shot – Forest Machala arrested for the shooting
  • Red House update from December 13, 2020, with approved video from behind the barricades
  • Part two of our interview with Nikayla Rice
  • Malcontent News has been approved as a Google News source

Editor comment: The video of the Olympia, Washington protest has the wrong date on it of December 10, 2020. The correct date is December 12, 2020. We apologize for the error.

Chris Rojas, our partners at Converge Media, and Concrete Reporting contributed to this program

BIPOC, Local

Olympia protest shooter identified as 26-year old Shoreline man

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[OLYMPIA] (Malcontent News) – The Washington State Patrol confirmed that 26-year old Forest Michael Machala, of Shoreline, Washington, was the person who shot a Black activist on Saturday in Olympia, Washington. Machala in custody at the Thurston County Jail, charged with 1st-degree assault, the equivalent of attempted murder under Washington state law. Machala is presently held without bail and does not have a lawyer on record.

Social media records show Machala graduated from Roosevelt High School and is a former Boy Scout. His profile indicates he has traveled, enjoys hiking, and is otherwise unremarkable. In a photo that captured Machala, he is seen in a “Make America Great Again” Trump hat and carrying a walking stick.

On Saturday, Machala and an estimated 50 to 75 heavily armed “Stop the Steal” and anti-mask Trump supporters descended on the state capitol. They rallied to protest the 2020 Presidential election results and ongoing business restrictions. Waving Gasden, Trump, and American flags, they were met by a larger and more lightly armed group of counter-protesters. About 100 Olympia, Thurston County Sheriff, and Washington State Patrol officers tried to keep the groups separated.

A series of brawls broke out, and officers deployed crowd control measures. A woman aligned with the Trump supporters was arguing with a Black man aligned with the counter-protesters. Around 1:45 PM, Machala allegedly drew a handgun and shot the Black counter-protester in the stomach. Protesters took the victim to the hospital in a private vehicle. Social media reports indicate the victim is in stable condition.

Earlier in the day, Stephen Christopher Kurtz, 42 years old of Olympia, Washington, was arrested by Olympia police for 4th-degree assault and failure to disperse. In that incident, Kurtz is accused of brandishing a gun unprovoked. Several journalists caught the incident on camera. Kurtz was released from Olympia city jail on $1000 bail. A hearing date for Kurtz has not been set. 

Saturday’s shooting is the second in a week marred by gun violence. Christopher Guenzler is held at the Thurston County Jail on 1st and 2nd-degree assault charges. Guenzler is accused of shooting a protester one protester and pistol-whipping another on December 5.

Shoreline, Washington, where Machala lives, has been a flashpoint of racist activity in 2020, including threats against a group of children creating Black Lives Matter chalk art in front of their homes in August, and the attempted arson of a black-owned coffee shop in October. Officials have made no arrests in either of those incidents.

Chris Rojas contributed to this story.