The 29-year-old charged for shooting a man in the shoulder on E John last Thursday morning said he was angered over a stolen backpack, according to court documents and the police report on the incident.
Randy Parker, who prosecutors say is homeless and had been out of jail for only two months after a residential burglary conviction, has been charged with first degree assault in the shooting which left the victim with a collapsed lung and broken arm. Parker also faces a weapons charge because his felony conviction prohibits him from being in possession of a firearm.
CHS reported on the Thursday, August 4th shooting as it unfolded around 9:40 AM. Police arrested Parker only blocks away after finding him in the bathroom of the Starbucks at Broadway and Republican.
According to police, witnesses reported diving for cover as they watched Parker approach another man on E John near 10th Ave just across from Capitol Hill Station, pull out a gun, and fire at the victim “at close range.” “What you got for me?” Parker allegedly asked the victim before pulling the trigger, one witness told police.
Parker was spotted by police entering the Starbucks and was found in the cafe’s restroom. “I’ll tell you where the fuckin’ gun is — I fuckin’ shot him. He fuckin’ pissed me off. I fuckin’ shot him,” police report Parker said as he was taken into custody. Parker reportedly told police he was angered over the theft of his backpack. Police took Parker back to the scene where they say the suspect showed them the general area where the gun had been ditched. Officers recovered a Springfield Armory .45 caliber handgun, loaded with one round in the chamber and another in the magazine. They also recovered a brown wallet containing a piece of paper with “Customer Randy Parker” printed on it.
Prosecutors say Parker has a lengthy criminal history including the burglary conviction and out of state convictions in Oregon, Virginia, and Maryland. Parker has not entered a plea on the shooting charges. He remains jailed on $500,000 bail.
So the victim didn’t steal the backpack? He was just in the wrong place when the guys temper got out of control? Sheesh…
…so according to recent statistics, 85% of the homeless are from Seattle. Technically, this guy was from Seattle…after he was from Oregon, Virginia and Maryland.
I’ve never believed that 85% statistic. Of course they are “from Seattle” in the recent past, but what about before that, and before that…..?
This guy is a chronic criminal and needs to see the inside of a prison cell for an extended period.
Statistics have a well-known bias when compared to “what you think,” but only when “what you think” doesn’t line up with the statistic.
Like, I’ve never believed 100% of people end up dead. If I don’t believe that stat to be true, it isn’t true. I don’t even need to question methodologies or sample sizes. Boom, not true.
My husband is in jail with this guy he had apparently just lost his mom his sister and doesn’t have relations to other siblings anymore. He has an one relative that is there for him right now. At the time this guy stole his backpack and he had enough of the bs and lost his shit.. I guess.
Knowing his story and the details not shared here I feel for the guy, that guy who stole the back pack was a thief and even asked him what he was gonna do about it..
Well lesson here dont steal and dont piss off the wrong person.. You dont know their story and why they are there today.