SEATTLE — Charges of first-degree murder have been filed against a man accused of fatally shooting an unintended victim on New Year’s Eve in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. The suspect, identified as Charles Michael Hickman III, is accused of killing Jonathan Adamow, an innocent bystander, during a pre-dawn altercation on Dec. 31, 2024.
Hickman, who remains detained at King County Jail with bail set at $2 million, allegedly fired multiple shots from behind a pole on East Pike Street near the intersection with Broadway around 3 a.m. Surveillance video captured Hickman emerging from his hiding spot and shooting Adamow as he walked unknowingly into the line of fire. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, Adamow succumbed to a gunshot wound to the back.
Further details from the investigation suggest Hickman might not have been targeting Adamow but was instead aiming towards a nearby gas station. Court documents reveal that Hickman was observed scoping out the 76 gas station across the street for approximately 20 minutes before the incident. Video evidence shows Hickman’s car near the station, engaging briefly with a group of individuals gathered there.
After the shooting, Hickman quickly retreated to his vehicle parked in an alley on Broadway and left the scene. A pivotal break in the case came when a witness from the gas station approached law enforcement. Despite expressing concerns for their safety and requesting anonymity, the witness positively identified Hickman through surveillance footage and official licensing photographs.
This tragic event shook the community as police recovered ten 9mm shell casings from the scene, indicating the severity of the incident. The ongoing investigation is yet to unveil the intended target or the motives behind Hickman’s actions.
In a surprising turn of events, following his arrest by U.S. Marshals, Hickman penned an apology letter to the Adamow family, expressing remorse for his actions, which he claimed were not directed at Adamow or intended to harm anyone.
The incident has sparked discussions within the community and local law enforcement about gun violence and public safety, particularly about the impact of stray bullets in densely populated urban settings. Community leaders and safety advocates are calling for increased measures to prevent such needless tragedies in the future.
As this case progresses through the judicial system, many eyes will be on the court’s handling of the charges against Hickman and what it could mean for the broader fight against indiscriminate gun violence in Seattle and beyond. The memory of the incident lingers, a sober reminder of the unpredictability and pervasiveness of urban crime.