In the early evening of February 8, 2022, the life of 31-year-old Kasaundra May "Kassy" Booker was tragically cut short in Bellingham, Washington. A woman described by her family as a "beautiful, gentle person" and a "social butterfly," Kassy was found deceased in the stairwell of 22 North, a downtown apartment building providing housing for homeless individuals.
An investigation by the Bellingham Police Department quickly determined that she had died from a gunshot wound.
In the days following the discovery of Kassy's body, detectives identified a prime suspect: Shilo Aron Englert. Surveillance footage from the apartment building showed Englert with Booker in the hour leading up to her death, and he was seen leaving the scene just minutes before her body was discovered. This led to a warrant being issued for his arrest on a charge of second-degree murder.
The search for Englert concluded on February 20, 2022, after an intensive manhunt. Acting on a credible tip, Bellingham Police, with the assistance of the SWAT team, surrounded a residence where Englert was hiding. After an initial unsuccessful attempt to apprehend him hours earlier where he escaped on foot, law enforcement established a perimeter. Following a standoff where Englert did not respond to announcements to surrender, chemical irritants were used, which led to his peaceful surrender. He was then taken into custody and booked into the Whatcom County Jail.
Initially charged with second-degree murder, Shilo Englert's case moved through the legal system. More than two years after Kassy's death, in June 2024, Englert pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of second-degree manslaughter. This plea was part of an agreement that also resolved four other criminal cases against him. On July 1, 2024, a judge sentenced Englert to seven years and five months in prison, with 1.5 years of probation. While the legal proceedings have concluded, Kassy's family maintains that the resolution does not represent true justice for their loved one. They remember her as a cherished daughter, sister, and friend who, despite her struggles, was deeply loved and is profoundly missed.
