Seattle, WA — Charges of first-degree murder have been filed against Charles Michael Hickman III following a fatal shooting in Seattle’s Capitol Hill district last December, which resulted in the death of an unintended victim. Jonathan Adamow, the deceased, was apparently caught in the crossfire during a shooting incident on the early morning of New Year’s Eve.
Hickman, currently detained at King County Jail, is being held on a $2 million bail. The unfortunate sequence caught on surveillance footage reveals Hickman concealing himself behind a pole and subsequently initiating gunfire as Adamow inadvertently walked into the line of fire.
The incident occurred on East Pike Street near Broadway around 3 a.m. on December 31, 2024. Adamow, who was fatally shot in the back, succumbed to his injuries at the scene despite efforts from first responders.
According to investigators, at least 10 shots were fired during the incident, with police recovering ten 9mm shell casings. It is believed that Hickman was targeting a group assembled across the street at a 76 gas station, which he had been monitoring prior to the shooting.
Earlier surveillance captured Hickman driving around the gas station between 2:35 a.m. and 2:51 a.m., interacting briefly with some individuals gathered there, before stationing his car and positioning himself behind the pole.
After the shooting, Hickman swiftly retreated to his vehicle parked in a nearby alley and fled the area. His identification was aided by a witness present at the gas station that night, who recognized Hickman and contacted authorities, expressing concerns for their family’s safety while providing crucial information.
The arrest was carried out by U.S. Marshals on Monday. Following his arrest, Hickman penned an apology letter to Adamow’s family, expressing remorse and stating that the tragic outcome was unintentional.
The incident raises concerns about public safety and gun violence, illuminating the unpredictable dangers of such disputes spilling into bystander areas. As the community reels from this tragedy, questions about the intended target and the shooter’s motives remain unanswered by court documents, leaving a critical gap in understanding the full context of this deadly encounter.