Charles Michael Hickman III entered a plea of not guilty on Wednesday to a first-degree murder charge in connection with the fatal shooting of an uninvolved bystander on New Year’s Eve in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.
According to court records, Jonathan Adamow was struck and killed in the early hours of December 31 when gunfire erupted. Police have stated that Adamow was not the intended target but was caught in the crossfire. Hickman, arrested on April 7 by U.S. Marshals, remains in King County Jail on $2 million bail.
Documents filed with the court also include a letter Hickman addressed to Adamow’s family, expressing remorse for the tragedy. “I’m apologizing for my actions,” he wrote, insisting that no one, including the victim, was meant to be harmed.
Prosecutors have not disclosed the suspected intended target or motive. Hickman’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 8.
