Ashton Christopher Leffall Bio – Ashton Christopher Leffall Wiki
Ashton Christopher Leffall suspects accused of killing beloved community leader D’Vonne Pickett Jr. were charged Monday for the murder and other violent crimes in King County.
AGE:
Ashton Christopher Leffall is 31 years old.
DETAIL OF INCIDENCE:
Ashton Christopher Leffall is charged with first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree assault, first-degree robbery, and second-degree unlawful firearm possession.
Pickett Jr. was shot and killed on Wednesday, October 19. Legal was arrested on Thursday, October 20.
At his first court appearance on October 21, a judge ordered him to be held without bail.
On October 19, multiple witnesses called 911 to report that shots had been fired, and a suspect was seen fleeing the 1100 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Pickett Jr. lying on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds, according to court documents. Officers provided aid until Seattle Fire Department medics took Pickett Jr. to Harborview Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.
Police spoke to Pickett Jr.’s wife, Keanna R. Pickett, who said she and her husband had driven to their shipping and mail business on the 1100 block of MLK Jr. Way. After they pulled up, D’Vonne Pickett Jr. had gotten out and walked toward the front door when she heard multiple gunshots coming from behind her, according to court documents.
Keanna Pickett said she saw a man matching the other witnesses’ descriptions standing behind bushes shooting at her husband. According to court documents, she ran from the car to help D’Vonne Picket Jr. while calling 911.
When asked if she knew anyone who would want to hurt her husband, Keanna Pickett said Leffall has repeatedly threatened her husband and his family members, including her. She also referred to a report D’Vonne Pickett Jr. had filed over previous harassment from Leffall.
The previous report, filed on September 9, stated Leffall was harassing D’Vonne Pickett Jr. and his family online and via text for the past two years, according to court documents. He previously told officers that Leffall, who lives in Hawaii, showed up at his business and asked about him, and an employee told Leffall to leave, court documents say.
Pickett Jr. owned The Postman with his wife in Seattle’s Central District and worked as a mentor and a coach for young people. His friends and family referred to Pickett Jr. as a community pillar.
Leffall was involved in multiple other shootings in the days leading up to the murder, according to court documents.
The detective investigating the cases recommended Leffall not be released, identifying Leffall as a suspect “that has been shooting his handgun indiscriminately at citizens.”
Those other crimes include a shooting on October 17 around 11:55 a.m. That morning, multiple 911 callers reported a man was robbed and shot at an African imports specialty store on the 4000 block of Rainier Avenue South. Leffall was charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree assault for this incident.
When police arrived, they found the store’s owner on the sidewalk outside the building with a gunshot wound to the chest. According to court documents, he was taken to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition.
Surveillance footage showed a man matching Leffall’s description enter the store and browse the merchandise. According to court documents, the man then left the store but returned five minutes later wearing a mask and carrying a concealed firearm in a shopping bag.
When he got to the counter, the suspect pointed his gun at the victim and demanded his debit card and PIN, which the victim provided. The suspect then shot the victim in the chest and fled the store on foot.