Cordell Mauris Goosby (30), the accused charged with the murder of Eina Kwon, who was 8 months pregnant, pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder charges during his arraignment at King County Superior Court on June 29.
Goosby’s defense lawyer argued that Goosby did not plead guilty to killing Eina Kwon, her unborn baby, Evelyn Ahrin Kwon, and attempting to murder Sung-hyun Kwon, her husband. The defense claimed that Goosby was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident.
On June 13, Goosby approached a white Tesla stopped at the intersection of 4th Avenue and Lenora Street in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood at 11 a.m. The assailant fired six shots at the Kwon couple, who were inside the car.
Eina Kwon, who was eight months pregnant, was swiftly transported to nearby Harborview Medical Center, but tragically, she passed away shortly after the shooting. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, the emergency delivery performed was unsuccessful, resulting in the loss of the unborn child as well. Sung-hyun Kwon sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm. Goosby has no known connection to the couple or their nearby restaurant, Aburiya Bento House.
Goosby was indicted on June 16 with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. If convicted, he could face up to 57 years in prison.
According to Casey McNerthney, a spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Washington state law specifies that murder charges can only be filed if the victim was “born alive.”
Investigators are currently examining medical records of the emergency delivery operation to determine if Goosby can be charged with the murder of the Kwon family’s unborn child.
While Goosby had no prior criminal record in Seattle before the unprovoked shooting of the Kwon family, he had a felony conviction for possessing an unlawful firearm in Cook County, Illinois.
Although the victim’s family did not appear in court, many members of the Korean American community attended the arraignment to show their support.
Meanwhile, neighboring restaurants have come together to support the family of Eina Kwon, who was tragically killed in the unprovoked shooting in downtown Seattle on June 13.
According to Eater Seattle, several restaurants in the Kwon family’s neighborhood organized fundraisers on June 28.
Tom Douglas Company-operated restaurants pledged to donate 20 percent of their sales from that day to the Kwon family’s GoFundMe campaign, while 15 other businesses, including Matt’s at the Market, Rachel’s Bagel and Burritos, and Full Tilt Ice Cream, also participated.
“Mrs. Kwon and her unborn child were innocent victims, and while this is an unimaginable loss for her family, we want to remind them that kindness and empathy can help bring comfort and hope,” stated Tom Douglas Company.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the Kwon family, with $280,000 raised toward the $500,000 goal as of now.
Kwon’s funeral took place on June 23, and their family-owned and operated restaurant, Aburiya Bento House, is currently closed.
In response to Kwon’s case, the Seattle police have formed a community crime prevention task force. “It has only been a week, but we have already prevented two crimes,” stated Police Chief Adrian Diaz.
BY JUNHAN PARK, YEJIN KIM [support@koreadaily.com]
