Seattle parks worker pleads not guilty to assault charges

SEATTLE – A Seattle parks employee accused of shooting and wounding one co-worker and threatening another pleaded not guilty to assault charges in King County Superior Court on Monday.

Carolyn Piksa was charged with first-degree assault in the March 8 wounding of 65-year-old Bill Keller at a parks maintenance building.

KOMO reported her lawyer, John Henry Browne, said a psychological evaluation is needed.

Prosecutors said Piksa also brandished a gun at a female co-worker. She was charged with second-degree assault in that incident.

Keller is still in satisfactory condition at Harborview Medical Center after being shot in the chest.