Third Man Admits ‘Thrill Kill’ Shooting

Fri., Oct. 27, 2000

From Staff

A third man has pleaded guilty in what prosecutors called the “thrill kill” shooting of a Whidbey Island naval officer in July.

Adam Moore, 25, of Anacortes, who said he witnessed the shooting from the back seat of the car, pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree manslaughter. He faces 21 to 27 months in prison.

Judge Michael Rickert set sentencing for Nov. 30 in Skagit County Superior Court.

Moore was held in the county jail on $250,000 bail.

Prosecutors said Moore was in the back seat of the car when passenger Eben Berriault, 36, shot and killed Lt. j.g. Scott Kinkele on July 29. Berriault’s half brother Seth Anderson, 23, was driving the car.

Berriault and Anderson each pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Berriault was sentenced to 55 years in prison and Anderson to 38 years.

Moore faced a lesser charge for his cooperation.

Kinkele was driving his car on Washington 20 to the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station when Berriault fired at him.

Prosecutors said the three men had set out to poach deer, but were drinking, driving around and taking random shots at lights, signs and other cars.

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