$1 Million Bail Sought for Suspect in #MountVernon Officer’s Shooting

Posted: December 16, 2016 | Author: Pundit Planet | Filed under: Crime & Corruption, U.S. News | Tags: Alford plea, Arrest warrant, Chief of police, Domestic violence, Facebook, Felony, Mount Vernon, murder, Police officer, Seattle, SWAT, Washington State |Leave a comment

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. KOMO Staff & Associated Press report: A man suspected of shooting a police officer in the back of the head was ordered held on $1 million bail Friday.

The suspect, identified in court documents as Ernesto Lee Rivas, 44, appeared in Skagit County Superior Court the day after the cold-blooded shooting.

Rivas, who has a lengthy criminal history, was arrested earlier Friday morning after a seven-hour standoff in Mount Vernon that began after a police officer was shot and critically wounded, the Washington State Patrol said.

The online roster for the Skagit County Jail shows Rivas was booked at 1:55 a.m. Friday following his arrest.

Court and State Patrol records show that Rivas has eight felonies on his record, including unlawful possession of a firearm in 2011 and unlawful imprisonment in 1998. He was subject to a domestic violence protection order last year after the mother of his child accused him of stalking her at work.

At Friday’s court hearing, prosecutors said the suspect is being held for investigation of attempted first-degree murder. It was not immediately clear if Rivas has obtained an attorney.

“Mr. Rivas is not only looking at a very serious charge, but we believe this may very well be a third strike,” said Skagit County prosecutor Rich Weyrich. A “third strike” means that Rivas would automatically be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.

Two other juvenile persons of interest also were taken into custody in connection with the shooting and standoff…(read more)