Solved case · 2006
The short answer
On July 28, 2006, Naveed Afzal Haq shot six women at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle building, killing fundraising director Pamela Waechter and wounding five others, before surrendering to police.
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Suggest coverage for Seattle Jewish Federation shootingOn the afternoon of July 28, 2006, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Naveed Afzal Haq forced his way through a security door at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle building in Belltown, Seattle. Armed with two semi-automatic pistols, a knife, and extra ammunition, Haq used a 14-year-old girl as a hostage to gain entry to the offices, then shouted "I am a Muslim American, angry at Israel" before beginning to shoot.
Haq shot six women during the attack. Carol Goldman was shot in the knee and elbow while attempting to call 911. Layla Bush, Cheryl Stumbo, and Christina Rexroad were shot in the abdomen. Pamela Waechter, the Federation's 58-year-old director of its annual fundraising campaign, was shot in the chest and then, as she fled, in the head; she was the only fatality. Dayna Klein, five months pregnant, was shot in the arm while attempting to shield her abdomen; Haq subsequently held her hostage, telling her he did not care if he killed her or her baby, and detailing grievances involving U.S. support for Israel and the war in Iraq. Klein persuaded Haq to speak with a 911 dispatcher; after being told he could not be connected to media, Haq surrendered at 4:15 p.m. and was taken into custody.
Haq was charged with aggravated murder, five counts of attempted murder, kidnapping, burglary, and malicious harassment (a hate crime under Washington law). Prosecutors decided against seeking the death penalty due to Haq's documented history of mental illness. His first trial, which began April 14, 2008, ended in a mistrial in June 2008 after the jury acquitted him on one attempted-murder count and deadlocked on the rest. A second trial in late 2009 resulted in conviction on all counts, including aggravated first-degree murder, on December 15, 2009. Haq was sentenced to life without parole plus 120 years.
Police and prosecutors classified the shooting as a hate crime based on statements Haq made during the attack and in a 911 call, while an FBI spokesman said the shooting was most likely the work of a "lone individual acting out antagonism toward the organization" and that there was nothing indicating it was terrorism-related. Commentary on the motivation and classification of the attack varied publicly, with some writers arguing it should be characterized as terrorism and others describing Haq's actions as rooted in personal alienation rather than organized ideology.
Several victims required hospitalization at Harborview Medical Center. Layla Bush sustained damage to her liver, stomach, pancreas, and left kidney, was unable to walk at discharge, and was released in September 2006. Tammy Kaiser escaped injury from gunfire but was briefly hospitalized after dropping from a second-story window. The Jewish Federation building was demolished in 2017.
Haq receives two legally purchased semiautomatic handguns after a mandatory waiting period.
Haq shoots six women at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle building, killing Pamela Waechter; he surrenders to police at 4:15 p.m. and is booked into King County Jail that night.
Haq appears in court for a bail hearing; probable cause found for murder and attempted murder charges; bail set at $50 million.
Haq formally charged with nine felonies including aggravated murder, five counts of attempted murder, kidnapping, burglary, and malicious harassment.
Haq indicates he wishes to plead guilty; judge refuses to accept the plea pending a competency hearing.
Haq's attorney tells the court Haq has changed his mind and will plead not guilty; deemed competent to stand trial.
Victim Layla Bush is released from the hospital, unable to walk.
Prosecutor Norm Maleng announces Haq will not face the death penalty.
Haq's first trial begins at the King County Courthouse.
Jury acquits Haq on one attempted-murder count and deadlocks on remaining counts; judge declares a mistrial.
Haq's second trial commences.
Haq is found guilty on all counts, including aggravated first-degree murder.
Victims first. Every legal label is set from public records and court outcomes, not from the prose.
35-year-old employee shot in the knee and elbow while attempting to call 911.[3]
43-year-old Federation director of marketing and communications; shot in the abdomen and critically wounded.[3]
29-year-old Federation bookkeeper; shot in the abdomen and critically wounded.[3]
37-year-old Federation employee, five months pregnant, shot in the arm and held hostage.[3]
23-year-old office manager and receptionist; shot in the shoulder and abdomen, sustaining damage to multiple organs.[3]
58-year-old director of the Jewish Federation's annual fundraising campaign; fatally shot in the chest and head while fleeing.[3]
Convicted December 15, 2009 of aggravated first-degree murder and other counts; sentenced to life without parole plus 120 years, following an earlier mistrial.[3]
From the record
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