Teen pleads not guilty in fatal shooting of hiker

MOUNT VERNON — A 14-year-old Skagit County boy accused of fatally shooting a 54-year-old hiker after he mistook her for a bear, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to first-degree manslaughter.

With family and friends looking on, the teen entered his plea in the death of Pamela Almli, of Snohomish County. A trial date was set for Oct. 27, but defense attorneys said it would likely be delayed.

The teen, whom The Seattle Times is not naming because he is charged as a juvenile, faces up to nine months in juvenile detention if convicted.

Defense attorney Roy Howson said the teen and his family are grieving the death of Almli, an experienced hiker and sportswoman from the small community of Oso.

"It is a horrible time for them," he said Wednesday after the teen's arraignment. "They're consumed by grief and pain for the Almli family."

The teen and his 17-year-old brother, who live in Concrete, were hunting on Sauk Mountain on Aug. 2 when they saw a "black outline" on the trail about 100 yards ahead, according to court documents. The younger boy said, "It's a bear, it's a bear," and, "I've got my cross hairs on it," court documents allege.

The older boy agreed and told his brother to go ahead and shoot, according to police and prosecutors.

When the boys realized what had happened, they ran to the lot where their grandfather was parked and alerted him to the shooting, charging papers say.

Skagit County prosecutors said they charged the boy because his actions were reckless.

The teen was licensed and had taken a hunting-safety class when he was 9. Prosecutors say he failed to follow the Washington State Hunters guide, which warns always to use binoculars and never a telescopic sight to identify a target, and to make sure the area behind the target is clear.

It is legal in Washington for a licensed 14-year-old who has taken the hunting class to hunt without adult supervision.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com

Information from Seattle Times archives is included in this report.