Conflicting stories surface in fatal Everett shooting

EVERETT — Detectives are sifting through lies, half truths and hard evidence as they try to determine what triggered a fatal shooting Oct. 8 in south Everett.

They’ve been told three markedly different stories about what led up to Heath E. Mitchell, 37, allegedly gunning down Robert James Scott Jr., 39, court papers show.

No charges have been filed.

“Detectives are continuing to investigate the case,” Everett police spokesman Aaron Snell said Wednesday. “At this point, we are working with the physical evidence and with statements from witnesses at the scene to determine exactly what happened.”

Mitchell remains jailed on $200,000 bail. He’s being held for investigation of drug possession and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to an Everett District Court search warrant, Mitchell allegedly has admitted shooting Scott. He said it happened after an old friend dropped by his motel room with Scott in tow.

Mitchell told police he was talking about selling a laptop computer when Scott suddenly pulled a chrome revolver and struck him in the face, the search warrant said.

The gun fired as the men fought for control of the weapon, he reportedly told detectives.

A witness to the shooting said the men actually were talking about a drug deal. At one point, Mitchell pulled out a black semiautomatic handgun and began passing it around. For some reason a fight broke out and the weapon was fired. Scott was shot and left the room, detectives were told.

Another witness told police that Scott met with Mitchell, hoping to get some drugs on credit. Mitchell refused, and allegedly pulled out a black handgun. Detectives were told that Scott disarmed him, put the weapon in his waistband, and pulled a silver handgun of his own and hit Mitchell in the face with it, the search warrant said.

In that version of what happened, Scott reportedly was walking toward the door when a gun was fired, the search warrant said.

Scott died on the sidewalk outside a nearby restaurant. Mitchell and the witnesses reportedly tried to quickly clean the motel room and fled the scene.

Police found a black semiautomatic handgun lying near a garbage bin behind the restaurant. They also found a Smith and Wesson revolver in a backpack they say Mitchell had been carrying.

When arrested, Mitchell had a cut to his face and told police he acted in self defense, the search warrant said. But the claim from a witness that Scott was shot while walking from the room suggests otherwise, a judge was told.

Police received permission to photograph Mitchell using an alternate light source, a powerful lamp with different filters that can make it easier to document bruises, bite marks and other signs of a struggle.

Police reportedly found Mitchell carrying meth when he was arrested. They also say they found heroin, pills and packaging materials in the motel room.

The man has multiple convictions for drugs, property crimes and weapons violations. Scott had similar problems. He was released from prison in August after serving time for shooting a man during a 2010 attempt to collect a drug debt.

Reporter Eric Stevick contributed to this story. Scott North: 425-339-3431, north@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.