KENT, Wash. — Trooper Raymond Seaburg didn't know if he would ever walk again when a suspect shot him nine times in both legs earlier this year.
But on Tuesday, he walked into a King County courtroom and spoke about the shooting, describing his initial fear and his recovery, while the man accused of shooting him sat just a few feet away.
The suspect, Jason Joshua Posada, pleaded not guilty to felony charges of assault and theft of a firearm for the mid-February incident. Dozens of Washington State Patrol troopers and Kent Police Department officers filled the courtroom audience as Posada's bail was discussed.
Posada is accused of shooting Seaburg multiple times in both legs and stealing Seaburg's gun when the trooper attempted to arrest him in Kent.
King County Judge Johanna Bender declined to lower Posada’s bail from $3 million to $250,000, as requested by Posada’s attorney, and also declined to release him to an inpatient drug treatment program on electronic home monitoring. Media was not permitted to record Posada's face, the judge ruled, citing protecting his rights and to avoid tainting a possible jury pool or witnesses.
Posada's attorney said he struggles with drug addiction and that his actions were the result of his drug use, adding that "he is a totally different person" when not on drugs. The state argued Posada has a history of violent offenses and that on the night of the shooting, he had a Department of Corrections warrant out for his arrest.
Seaburg asked for Posada to remain in custody at the hearing.
“Myself and my family have suffered enough because of his horrible choice to try and kill me,” he said. Seaburg said he spent two weeks in the hospital after the shooting. Now, though he can walk, he is uncomfortable and in pain every day, Seaburg said.
“I could’ve died. They used tourniquets to save me. I was bleeding to death, but they saved my life," he said, motioning to the group of law enforcement officers in the audience. While there is always risk when working in law enforcement, Seaburg said, "in 20 years, I’ve never met evil like this."
Seaburg, a father of three, said his family's lives and his own life have been forever changed. Breaking down into tears, he offered forgiveness.
“Regardless of what happens to Mr. Posada, I have forgiven him for what he’s done to me," Seaburg said. "I don’t think many people can do that. But I have, as a person, not as a trooper.”
Judge Bender explained her decision to the court, saying she has "profound concerns" about the case and Posada's past behavior against law enforcement.
As the hearing came to an end, Posada asked to speak. He did not apologize, but said he wanted to explain his actions to Seaburg, the other troopers in the room and his mother, who was also in the audience.
“I know I’ve done wrong in life, but I am a human being. ... I am a convict, I do crime, but I don’t hurt people for no reason," he said about his past convictions. Posada said he asked for the drug treatment program to show the community and the court that he was trying to change his ways.
The judge did not change her mind on declining the motions. Posada remains in custody on $3 million bail.
The February incident
On Feb. 17, Seaburg was driving south on state Route 167 at around 11:10 p.m. when he spotted a driver in a black Ford truck that he suspected of being under the influence. Seaburg followed the driver off of SR 167 and into Kent. The driver then got into an accident with another car at an intersection and fled the scene on foot.
At 11:14 p.m., Seaburg notified dispatch that the suspect ran into a nearby apartment complex. Just one minute later, Seaburg reported that he had been shot in the leg and was found at the Driftwood Apartments.
Seaburg later told detectives that he chased after Posada on foot from the accident to an apartment complex, where Posada allegedly resisted arrest. During the struggle, Seaburg previously told detectives that he saw Posada pull out a gun from his waistband. Seaburg drew his weapon to shoot, but it wouldn’t fire. He then wrestled to get the gun from Posada’s hands and when Seaburg tried to run away, Posada allegedly shot him in both legs.
Officers found five shell casings at the scene. None of the ammunition matched what WSP troopers used. Posada was found by a police K9 hiding in the backyard of an apartment at a different complex.
An iPad found nearby, which Posada said was his, was searched after a warrant and an outgoing message sent an hour after the shooting read: “shot a cop” and “hurry,” documents state. A backpack also found nearby contained Seaburg’s gun and a 9mm Polymer 80 handgun with no serial number with ammunition matching what was found at the scene.
Seaburg was taken to Harborview Medical Center, where he was discovered to have nine entry and exit bullet wounds, according to court documents.