SEATTLE (AP) — Teenage brothers, James and Jerome Taafulisia, charged in a drug-related shooting that left two people dead and three wounded at a Seattle homeless camp have pleaded not guilty to murder charges.
The two boys, ages 16 and 17, each entered their pleas on murder and assault charges Feb. 11 at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
They have been charged as adults in the killings that took place Jan. 26 at a longstanding encampment known as the Jungle, about a mile from downtown. James Quoc Tran and Jeannine L. Zapata were shot and died from related injuries. Three others also shot were hospitalized for their injuries.
Taafulisias’ 13-year-old brother pleaded innocent to the same charges in juvenile court last week. All three remain in jail.
Police said they believe the shooting stemmed from a low-level drug deal and that the suspects and victims knew of each other. (end)
Minors charged with crimes are not named by the Northwest Asian Weekly unless they are charged as adults.
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