On the evening of July 16, 2024, a 13-year-old boy named Matthiew Stavkovly was fatally shot in Kent, Washington, during an armed robbery. The incident unfolded at Turnkey Park after Matthiew accompanied his older sister and a friend who had arranged to sell camera equipment through the online marketplace OfferUp. The meeting, which took place around 9:00 p.m., was a setup for a planned robbery.
When they arrived at the park, the group was confronted by armed individuals.
As the situation escalated into a robbery, Matthiew and his sister attempted to flee on an ATV. A shot was fired, striking Matthiew. Despite being wounded, he managed to travel about a mile to an apartment complex on Benson Road SE where help was sought. However, his injuries were too severe, and he died at the scene.
The Kent Police Department launched an investigation that quickly led to the identification and arrest of four suspects. The individuals taken into custody in connection with the murder and robbery were 18-year-old Faysal Abdullahi, 20-year-old Diavante Dunmore, 17-year-old Marsais Dunmore, and 16-year-old Semarias Woods. All four were charged with first-degree murder and robbery, with Diavante Dunmore also facing a charge for unlawful possession of a firearm as the alleged shooter.
The investigation revealed that the suspects had intentionally planned the robbery. Community members mourned the loss of Matthiew, who was remembered as an active and cherished member of his local church community.
