Stolen guns used in fatal Wash. shooting rampage

Investigators say the man charged in a shooting rampage that left six people dead in northwest Washington stole the guns used in the carnage and the pickup truck involved in a high-speed chase on Interstate 5.

According to court documents unsealed Wednesday in Skagit County District Court, Isaac Zamora stole a rifle, a handgun and ammunition from a residence near his mother's home in the small town of Alger, about 70 miles north of Seattle.

The Sept. 2 shootings that claimed the life of a Skagit County sheriff's deputy, two Alger area residents and two construction workers began in that neighborhood and continued as the shooter fled south on Interstate 5, firing at two cars and a Washington State Patrol trooper on the freeway, fatally injuring one driver.

After a high-speed police pursuit, Zamora, 28, surrendered at a sheriff's office in Mount Vernon, about 20 miles south of Alger.

Zamora has been charged in District Court with six counts of murder and four counts of assault. He is held on $5 million bail with his next court appearance set for Oct. 3.

According to court documents, in a police interview after his arrest Zamora refused to discuss his specific actions but said God told him what to do and told him to "kill evil."

"God, why did I do it?" he blurted at one point in the interview.

Zamora's only comment in court when he was charged last Friday was to twice declare: "I kill for God. I listen to God."

Deputy Anne Jackson was fatally shot as she responded to the Alger home of Chester Rose, who had reported that Zamora had trespassed on his property. Moments later, dispatchers were unable to reach her and other officers were sent to the scene, where they found her dead.

According to the documents, the events on Sept. 2 began with a 911 call from Dennise Zamora, the mother of Isaac Zamora, who called police because she was afraid her son was breaking into neighbor's houses, and might get shot doing so. Dennise Zamora has said her son has struggled for years with serious mental illness.

Jackson, who had responded to a call about Isaac Zamora the day before in the same neighborhood, went to Dennise Zamora's house, then headed to the Rose home, according to an affidavit filed by Snohomish County sheriff's Detective Patrick VanderWeyst.

The investigation indicates a rifle, a handgun and ammunition were stolen from a nearby house before the shooter confronted Jackson at the Rose residence. The deputy apparently returned fire before dying of multiple gunshot wounds. Her duty weapon was found on the property, VanderWeyst wrote.

Rose was also found dead at the home of multiple gunshot wounds.

Zamora then stole a Chevrolet pickup truck owned by one of two construction workers who were shot and killed at another nearby house, the court papers alleged. The construction workers were David Radcliffe and Greg Gillum.

As he made his way through the neighborhood, Zamora rammed the pickup into the garage door at the home of Fred Binschus, who was shot and wounded in the back, the affidavit said.

Moments later, Binschus' wife, Julie, arrived home.

"Fred heard Julie yelling and screaming and then heard anywhere from 4 to 6 gunshots," VanderWeyst wrote. Julie Binschus died of a gunshot wound.

Another neighbor, Richard Treston, told investigators that as he pulled into his driveway, the pickup driver rammed his vehicle. Both men got out of their vehicles, Zamora told Treston it was his day to die and tried to fire, but his rifle failed, according to court documents. Treston was stabbed in the chest, but survived.

Zamora left the neighborhood in the stolen truck and headed toward I-5, shooting and wounding a motorcyclist as he drove.

He also shot at two moving cars on I-5, barely missing a couple in one vehicle, but killing 64-year-old Leroy Lange in another. He also wounded a state trooper, who was shot in the arm.