Seattle Man Charged In Shooting Death Of Eagle Scout

A 25-year-old man was charged with first-degree murder Wednesday in the death of an Eagle Scout from Kitsap County who died in a street shooting while in Seattle for a holiday dinner.

Richard Lee Johnson Jr. of Seattle also was charged with first-degree attempted murder in the case, accused of putting others at risk when he fired at the car in which the victim - Trevor Aurand, 16, of Indianola - was riding.

“This murder ranks among the most senseless slayings our community has ever suffered,” King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng said in a news release. Johnson also was charged with murder in the second-degree in Aurand’s death, accused of killing Aurand while attempting to commit second-degree assault.

Bail for Johnson has been set at $500,000 pending arraignment Friday. A first-degree murder charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The shooting occurred early Dec. 28 in north Seattle.

As a group of Scouts drove from a convenience store, Johnson crossed Aurora Avenue on foot in front of their car. The boy riding in the front passenger seat yelled at Johnson, according to charging papers.Johnson did not reply, the release said.

Maleng contends Johnson then jumped in a car, caught up with the Scouts’ vehicle, and fired at least three shots. Aurand was struck in the head and killed. The others were not injured.