In a tragic turn of events stemming from a dispute over a girl, 15-year-old Chase McKee, a Caucasian male, was fatally shot in the head in a drive-by shooting in Lakewood, Washington, on March 3, 2017. He succumbed to his injuries two days later. Chase had recently moved to a Lakewood apartment complex with his mother for a fresh start, only to have his life cut short just a month later near his new home.
He was not the intended target of the violence that unfolded that evening.
The conflict began with an online feud between a friend of Chase's and another male, Billy Williamson, who was 22 at the time. The disagreement, which involved a girl, escalated to threats of a physical fight. Chase’s friend sent his location to Williamson, inviting him to come and fight. Chase and a few other friends were with the intended target when a car slowly drove by the apartment complex in the 8300 block of 83rd Avenue Southwest. Two individuals from the vehicle opened fire into the group of teenagers. Chase was struck by a bullet and fell to the ground.
The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of three suspects: Billy Williamson, and two 16-year-olds, a male named Zachary Glover and a female named Malisha Morales. Morales was driving the vehicle at the time of the shooting. According to investigators, as they approached the group of teens, Morales yelled for the others to open fire. Williamson admitted to firing into the crowd. While Glover claimed to have used a BB gun, shell casings from two different firearms were recovered at the scene.
All three individuals were charged with murder and assault. Billy Williamson, the shooter, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to nearly 25 years in prison. Malisha Morales and Zachary Glover both pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and were sentenced to more than 10 years in prison. During the sentencing, Williamson expressed remorse, stating he was a "respectful kid who made a terrible mistake." The judge presiding over the case noted the senselessness of the act and that but for Morales's involvement, the fatal shooting likely would not have occurred.
