Washington Man Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity in Fatal Shooting of Pregnant Woman
Cordell Goosby, accused of executing a pregnant woman and her unborn baby in a random Seattle attack, has been declared not guilty by reason of insanity. The ruling, signed off by the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, means Goosby admits to the brutal crime but will not face criminal responsibility due to his mental state at the time.
Details of the Tragic Incident
On June 13, 2023, Eina Kwon, 34, who was eight months pregnant with her second child, was shot four times while sitting in her white Tesla at a red light. Her husband, Evan Sung Kwon, was injured in the assault as they headed to work at their Japanese restaurant, Aburiya Bento House. Surveillance footage captured Goosby running toward the car with a gun, firing through the driver's side window. Authorities later found him, with court documents stating he raised his hands and declared, 'I did it! I did it!'
Legal and Medical Assessments
Defense attorneys secured the insanity ruling after both a defense expert and an independent expert hired by prosecutors concluded Goosby was legally insane during the shooting. Prosecutors confirmed they would have proceeded to trial if their expert had deemed him sane. Under Washington state law, a homicide charge cannot apply to an unborn child unless born alive, and insufficient evidence existed for manslaughter as Goosby may not have known Kwon was pregnant.
Consequences and Commitment
Goosby will be committed to the custody of the state Department of Social and Health Services for treatment at a psychiatric hospital, such as Western State Hospital. Officials emphasized he will not be released immediately and could be confined for life, with regular reviews to assess if he remains a threat. Any attempt to grant him freedom must undergo scrutiny from prosecutors, a judge, and a state safety panel.
Aftermath and Community Impact
Kwon was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, where doctors performed an emergency cesarean section in a futile attempt to save her baby. Both she and the child died shortly after. Her husband, shot in the arm, recovered and was able to hold his daughter briefly to say goodbye. The attack, described by then-Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell as an 'unimaginable tragedy,' left the family and community shattered. Goosby, a convicted felon from Illinois prohibited from owning guns, used a stolen weapon and had a history of mental health struggles, with officers noting he appeared in crisis during arrest.
