4 Months Later, Everett PD Still Investigating Deputy Involved Shooting at 164th and I-5

Early in the morning on July 16th, a Snohomish County Sheriff’s Deputy reported being attacked by a man on the 164th overpass at I-5. The Deputy fired his service weapon and the man died. That man was later identified as 32-year-old Justin U. Gaswint of Bothell, Washington. Since the shooting, the case has been investigated by the S.M.A.R.T. team or Snohomish Multi Agency Response Team. It’s a group of investigators made up from various law enforcement agencies in and around Snohomish County. The spokesperson for this particular investigation is Sgt. Robert Goetz of the Everett Police Department. Goetz says even after four months the case is still active and open and has not yet been forwarded to the Snohomish County Prosecutor for review and filing of possible charges against the deputy or exoneration of the deputy. “These types of investigations are very complex and detailed.” said Goetz, “It’s common for them to take several months.” While Goetz said he couldn’t address the particular investigation at hand, he did say that ballistic tests, laboratory analysis and the workload of the State Crime Lab all play a part in how long it can take to complete an investigation. Goetz added that when cases are not at the charging or trial stage they can move up or down the priority list for crime lab processing based on other cases heading for trial. According to Chief Kevin Prentiss of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office the deputy involved in the shooting has been returned to active duty.

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