Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 12:00 AM

Comments (4)     E-mail article     Print view

Man charged in slaying of hip-hop artist at Chop Suey

An 18-year-old Seattle man who police say fatally shot a hip-hop performer and wounded two others at a popular Capitol Hill nightclub last weekend was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder and first-degree assault.

Seattle Times staff reporter

An 18-year-old Seattle man who police say fatally shot a hip-hop performer and wounded two others at a popular Capitol Hill nightclub last weekend was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder and first-degree assault.

Carlos Bernardez is accused of killing 24-year-old Joseph Ryan, also known as 29-E, at Chop Suey early Sunday, according to charging papers filed in King County Superior Court. Also wounded was promoter Avery Turner, also known as Prezwell Jackson, and James Jones.

Roger La Branche, a 25-year-old Everett man who police say is connected with the case, was charged with drug possession. He is being held at the King County Jail on $500,000 bail.

King County prosecutors and Seattle police have not said what they believe was the motive for the shooting, but Jones told officers it stemmed from a long-standing dispute between him and La Branche, according to a document of probable cause prepared by Seattle police.

Jones told police that La Branche had recently been involved in a drive-by shooting at his apartment, court charging papers said. Jones was treated at Harborview Medical Center after the shooting and has since been released.

Bernardez, who is being held at the King County Jail in lieu of $2 million bail, told police La Branche handed him a handgun and asked him to help him with a shooting, according to the charging papers.

According to the probable-cause document, Bernardez is alleged to have knocked at the club's back door and requested entry. After speaking to the three victims briefly, he opened fire and then fled, according to charging papers.

Jones told police he turned and ran down a hallway into the main portion of the club, where he claims he was confronted by La Branche. He told police La Branche pulled out a handgun and shot him, although La Branche was not charged Wednesday with a shooting.

La Branche then was restrained by Jones and several other witnesses until officers arrived and took him into custody, according to police.

After the shootings, police searched the rental car that La Branche drove to the club that night and found cocaine, Ecstasy, OxyContin and marijuana. Police also found a 9-mm handgun and more than $7,000 in cash, according to charging documents.

According to juvenile-court documents, Bernardez entered a deferred disposition to a charge of being a juvenile in possession of a firearm after a 2007 arrest in Seattle. King County prosecutors say that if he is convicted of the Chop Suey shootings, Bernardez faces up to 40 years in prison.

Bernardez and La Branche will be arraigned Jan. 21.

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

Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

Comments
Everybody should start packin. With Chrissey deporting all the illegal aliens in prision who will be back before there feet are dry. Please tell...  Posted on January 8, 2009 at 6:31 AM by mo no?. Jump to comment
I would give the guy an award and set him loose with an uzi  Posted on January 8, 2009 at 6:30 PM by RoCkEt ScEiNtISt. Jump to comment
Huh?  Posted on January 8, 2009 at 1:16 PM by seascorpio82. Jump to comment

advertising


Get home delivery today!

Illegal workers quietly let go

Metro won't cut bus service after all

Jerry Large: Food-bank theft turns into a gift

Bumper to Bumper: How can the city let bridges go dark?

NEW - 01:26 AM
Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul

Advertising

Video

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.

Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Full interview with New Moon actors

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

Advertising