KENT, Wash. — Additional arrests have been made in connection to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Matthiew Stavkovy at Kent's Turnkey Park on July 16.
Two brothers, ages 17 and 19, were arrested at a Covington residence on Thursday, July 25. The two have not been formally charged.
The Kent Detective Unit is continuing to investigate.
“While there is no way to compensate for the incredible loss felt by the Stavkovy family and the community, it is my hope that today’s arrests, in addition to the arrest made last week, provide them some measure of comfort," said Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. "From the time our officers responded to the tragic shooting of Matthiew, our detectives have worked nonstop to identify and arrest those responsible. I am incredibly thankful that KPD has such outstanding women and men dedicated to serving and protecting the Kent Community.”
Faysal J. Abdullahi, 18, was previously arrested for his alleged involvement in the shooting of Matthiew. Abdullahi was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree robbery. Abdullahi’s bail is set at $2 million, and his arraignment is set for Aug. 5 at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
On July 16, Abdullahi allegedly set up a meeting to buy camera gear from a seller through the OfferUp website. They agreed to meet at Turnkey Park in Kent that night.
Matthiew went to the meeting with his sister, the seller and another friend, according to police.
The 19-year-old arrested July 25 admitted to police he and three other people went to the park with the intention of robbing the seller of their camera gear, according to a statement of probable cause.
While the seller was negotiating the price with Abdullahi, who was using an alias, acquaintances of Abdullahi’s came out of the park with a pistol and started firing, according to court documents. Abdullahi then reportedly grabbed the backpack from the seller and pushed him down.
The 19-year-old told police his brother fired the first round. He said that, in a panic, he ran into the seller of the camera gear, causing that person to fall. He told police he took the backpack full of gear and the suspects ran back to his vehicle.
The 19-year-old's brother later told him he fired a shot "because he felt he was going to be hit by the quad that the victim was driving," according to a statement of probable cause.
When Matthiew and his friends saw the gun and heard the gunshots, they ran to their ATVs to get away. Matthiew was shot in the back.
Matthiew's sister was with him on the ATV and took over driving to a nearby apartment complex when Matthiew lost consciousness. Multiple people called 911 and authorities responded within minutes. Matthiew died before they could get him to a hospital.
Law enforcement identified Abdullahi through the IP address used during the OfferUp exchange and arrested him outside a residence following a stakeout. He had the camera bag from the sale at the park.
Abdullahi allegedly told detectives that he set up the meeting and that he arrived to the park with two other people. He claimed he did not know a fourth suspect, who was masked and pulled out a gun, and that he emerged from somewhere in the park, documents state.
Cellphone data later determined Abdullahi was in the area of the residence of the brothers prior to going to Turnkey Park, and again after the shooting. That includes his cellphone connecting to a WiFi network with their last name.
Detectives also found video and photos depicting Abdullahi riding in the vehicle with the two on the day of the fatal shooting. The same imagery shows the 19-year-old in possession of multiple handguns, according to a statement of probable cause.
The 19-year-old and 17-year-old appeared in court for the first time July 26.
The court found probable cause to hold the 19-year-old in jail for first-degree murder and first-degree robbery. Bail was set at $2 million.
The 17-year-old is being held in secure detention.
Prosecutors anticipate getting a case referral from Kent police by July 30 and have a charging decision the same day.
