RENTON, Wash. — The man charged with shooting and killing a 17-year-old outside of a Renton sporting goods store pleaded not guilty Monday morning.
Aaron Brown Myers, 51, was previously charged on June 10 with second-degree murder and second-degree assault.
King County prosecutors say Myers approached three teens at a BIG 5 Sporting Goods off South Grady Way on June 5 with his gun pointed at them.
Myers told police he believed the teens were going to rob the store. They said they were at the location to exchange airsoft guns that were not working properly.
Prosecutors say Myers chose to escalate the altercation at every turn, and eventually he shot Hazrat Ali Rohani seven times, according to court documents.
Several members of the victim's family appeared in court on Monday, June 24, for Myers' arraignment. A translator spoke in Pashto, a language commonly used in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, according to the United Nations.
Myers' attorney, Michelle Scudder, sent KING 5 a statement Monday in regard to the case. The statement says Myers and his family are "devastated" and reiterated that Myers believed he was "witnessing the beginning of an armed robbery" and was intervening "in the hope of stopping the robbery before anyone got hurt."
"Unfortunately, during the confrontation Mr. Myers became in fear for his own life and fired his duty weapon to defend himself," the statement reads, in part. "We are confident that over the course of this investigation the evidence will show that Mr. Myers’ only intent that day was to protect himself and others from serious harm or death."
Myers told police he had just finished working as a "licensed" and "armed" security person before driving to the parking lot to pick up his son from a martial arts class. Myers told police he has seen numerous crimes occur in the parking lots and conducts "overwatch" there to ensure his son is safe.
Rather than call 911 or wait for evidence, Myers "claimed he had a 'duty to intervene,' and did so," prosecutors write.
Investigators said the footage they watched contradicted Myers's statements in his police interview.
Myers told police he approached the teens with his gun down, telling them to drop their weapons and put their hands up. Security camera footage showed Myers confronting the teens with his firearm pointed at them, according to court documents.
The day prior to the deadly shooting, Myers had joined a public safety committee in the city of Newcastle.
"It was with deep regret and sadness that the City of Newcastle learned of the fatal shooting of Hazrat Ali Rohani on June 5, 2024," a statement from the city reads. "The outcome of this incident has undoubtedly caused unimaginable loss, harm, and distress to those involved, as well as the larger community.
"We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected. The City of Newcastle is dedicated to the core principles of public safety and community well-being."
Myers remains in jail on $2 million bail, and is due back in court on August 28.
KING 5's Kipp Robertson contributed to this report.