On a tragic Friday night in Everett, Washington, the life of 17-year-old Gabriel Michael Kartak, a Caucasian male, was cut short. On November 25, 2022, police responded to reports of multiple gunshots and a single-vehicle rollover accident at the intersection of 75th Street SE and Olympic Drive. First responders discovered Gabriel trapped inside the vehicle, which had landed on its side.
He had sustained a gunshot wound, and despite the efforts of emergency personnel, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound and ruled the manner of death as a homicide.
Gabriel, who was from Seattle, was on the cusp of fatherhood at the time of his death. His grandmother shared that her grandson was just two weeks away from welcoming a baby he would never get to meet. She described the immense pain and lack of answers surrounding his violent death, stating her belief that his murder was gang-related. This sentiment was echoed by the violent aftermath that followed his killing. In the weeks after his death, the memorial set up in his honor became the scene of two more shootings, contributing to what police described as an unprecedented wave of violence in the city.
The investigation into Gabriel’s death was extensive, involving detectives from the Major Crimes Unit, the Gang Unit, and the Anti-Crime team, as well as the Regional Violent Crime Reduction Unit. Everett Police increased patrols in the area and made the investigation a high priority. However, despite their efforts and pleas to the public for information, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Gabriel Michael Kartak. The case remains an open and active investigation, leaving a family grieving and a community searching for justice.
