Anthony Leon Moss, a 31-year-old Black/African American man, was shot and killed on August 22, 2017, in Seattle, Washington. His death occurred inside a tent at a homeless encampment located in the Sodo neighborhood, beneath the West Seattle Bridge. The King County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed that Moss died from a gunshot wound to the chest.
The incident unfolded in the early morning hours when a dispute over allegedly stolen property escalated to violence.
According to witness accounts, Daniel William Markishtum, who was 34 years old at the time, arrived at Moss's tent armed with a revolver. An argument ensued after Moss accused Markishtum of stealing something from his tent. Though Moss was also armed with a revolver, witnesses stated that he did not use it to threaten Markishtum and even suggested they fight outside without weapons.
A witness who was present in the tent at the time of the shooting attempted to intervene and de-escalate the confrontation. It was as this individual stood between the two men that Markishtum’s gun discharged. The bullet grazed the witness's face before fatally striking Moss in the chest. Following the gunshot, the witness fled the tent, shouting for someone to call 911. Markishtum reportedly left the tent a few minutes later.
Seattle Police launched an investigation and identified Daniel William Markishtum as the primary suspect. A public call for assistance in locating him was issued, and he was described as armed and dangerous. On September 2, 2017, Markishtum was arrested and booked into the King County Jail on investigation of homicide. Prosecutors later charged him with second-degree murder, and his bail was set at $1 million. The outcome of the legal proceedings against Daniel William Markishtum is not readily available in the public record.
