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Murder suspect pleads not guilty, victim's mother speaks at arraignment

At the arraignment, the victim's mother said the suspect is a "danger to all the community."

FIFE, Wash. — The suspect accused of fatally shooting an Army National Guardsman in a “random” attack in Fife pleaded not guilty on Friday afternoon.

Andrew Fonoti, 28, was charged with first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, two counts of second-degree, drive-by shooting and unlawful possession of a firearm, among other charges. Bail was set at $1.5 million by the state’s request.

On Sept. 12, Fife Police Department officers responded at 9:32 p.m. to what was originally believed to be a single-car crash near 20th Street East and 70th Avenue East in Fife. It was then discovered that the driver, 23-year-old Rudolph King III, had been shot and died at the scene. 

Videos released by police show the suspect driving fast and erratically and even passing King's car aggressively near the Interstate 5 exit in Fife. Police say Fonoti shot at King, then turned around and left the scene. Police also received reports that Fonoti admitted to others to killing King for "driving really close" to his car.

At the arraignment, King's mother spoke, saying that Fonoti is a "danger to all the community." 

“He took my son's life on September 12th and since then has been bragging about it,” said Kristin King. “He shows zero remorse; he's been terrorizing the streets of the community and eluding law enforcement for over three months.”

King, who was from Milton, is known to his friends and family as "Little Rudy." He was an active-duty officer with the Army National Guard and a recent graduate of Pacific Lutheran University.

"I just feel that it would be in everyone's best interest to keep him locked up to prevent him from doing any further crimes and causing anyone the type of pain that my family is going through,” Kristin King said. 

A warrant was issued Nov. 21 for the arrest of Fonoti in King's death.

According to Fisher, the FPD SWAT team was deployed to make the arrest on Dec. 21 at a Kent hotel. During the arrest, two shots were fired by officers, but no one was hit. Police say it is unclear if the suspect had a gun or any weapons. 

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