Korean Couple in Seattle Indicted for Shooting... "Fetal Homicide Charges Also Applied"

A Korean couple in their 30s in Seattle, USA, became victims of a 'random shooting,' resulting in the deaths of the heavily pregnant wife and the fetus. The shooter has been charged with murder.

The King County Prosecutor's Office in Washington State announced on the 16th (local time) that the shooter, Kodel Morris Goosby (30), was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder.

Goosby suddenly opened fire on the couple in their 30s who were waiting at a traffic signal inside their car in the bustling Belltown area of Seattle around 11:15 a.m. on the 13th.

As a result, Kwon, who was eight months pregnant, died, and her husband was injured. The fetus was delivered by emergency cesarean section after Kwon was taken to the hospital but soon passed away. The prosecution also applied murder charges regarding the fetus.

Reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence, it was confirmed that the Kwon couple neither provoked nor spoke to the shooter while waiting at the signal. Nevertheless, the shooter fired toward the driver's side window of the vehicle.

Adrian Diaz, Chief of the Seattle Police Department, said at a press conference, "This is one of the worst incidents I have encountered in my 26 years of service."

Bouquets and letters commemorating the Kwon couple, who were shot and killed in Seattle, USA, are placed in front of the Japanese restaurant they operated.
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

According to the police, shooter Goosby has a prior record involving a deadly weapon in Illinois in 2017 and has received psychiatric treatment.

Additionally, the gun used in the crime was reported stolen from nearby Lakewood. Local prosecutors and police are investigating his motive and how he came to possess the firearm.

Meanwhile, acquaintances of the victims posted their story on the American fundraising site 'GoFundMe' to help the bereaved family come to the U.S. for the funeral. Within a day, $137,000 (approximately 175 million KRW) was raised. As of 2 p.m. on the 16th, over 2,100 people had donated along with messages of condolence.

One donor expressed, "I was shocked that such a thing happened to a young family," and added, "I am praying for their eldest son who remains."

They continued, "I am angry at the flawed judicial system that prioritizes criminals' rights over ordinary citizens' lives," and added, "It feels cruel that because the victim is Asian, this is not making headlines in major media outlets."

The Seattle Times reported neighbors' testimonies describing the deceased Kwon as "a selfless person who worked diligently every day."

Michael Hoyle, who runs a business next to the restaurant operated by the Kwon couple, said, "She always came to the store at the same time every morning and showed kindness and love whenever we passed by," adding, "We are so shocked right now that we cannot do anything."

The local Korean community and others plan to hold a memorial event on the morning of the 17th in the Belltown area, where the incident occurred, to honor Kwon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.