BOTHELL, Wash. — A man accused of fatally shooting a Bothell police officer last July has been deemed not competent to stand trial. Henry Eugene Washington, 40, was charged in the death of Officer Jonathan Shoop, 32, who tragically lost his life during a shootout between Washington and Officer Mustafa Kumcur, Shoop’s partner. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office revealed on Tuesday that this ruling limits the actions that prosecutors can take in accordance with the law.

Prosecutors had requested three restoration periods, the maximum allowed by law, in an attempt to restore Washington’s competency to stand trial. However, if a person remains incompetent after this restoration period, they are typically sent for civil commitment at Western State Hospital. Shoop’s devastating murder occurred on July 13, 2020, following a routine traffic stop that Shoop and Kumcur conducted on Washington’s vehicle.

While the officers engaged in conversation with Washington, he suddenly fled in his vehicle, prompting a pursuit by Shoop and Kumcur. It is alleged that Washington struck a scooter rider in a crosswalk before crashing his vehicle on state Route 522. As Shoop and Kumcur approached the scene, Washington walked towards their patrol car and opened fire, according to the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART), who conducted the investigation.

During the exchange, Washington fired two shots, shattering the driver’s side window and Kumcur’s firearm, with one bullet grazing Kumcur’s head. In response, Kumcur fired multiple rounds at Washington, tragically striking Shoop in the head and resulting in his untimely demise. Shoop had only been with the Bothell Police Department for a year when the shooting occurred, with Kumcur serving as his field training officer.

Previously, Washington had faced charges of first-degree aggravated murder, first-degree attempted murder, and vehicular assault. However, on October 26, a King County Judge issued an order to dismiss the case without prejudice, potentially leaving room for the case to be reconsidered by the court in the future.