Member of Tulalip Tribes pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter, and using a firearm in a crime of violence, for fatal shooting in garage on tribal land

Seattle – A 38-year-old member of the Tulalip Tribes pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to voluntary manslaughter, and using a firearm in a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Abdul Qasim Ray Zahir admits that he shot and killed a friend who had been helping him work on a car in a detached garage at his home on the Tulalip reservation.  Zahir says he shot the victim in the midst of a sudden quarrel over noise from the auto work. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Zahir can ask for a sentence of no less than ten years in prison and prosecutors can ask for no more than 18 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez scheduled sentencing for November 1, 2024.

According to the plea agreement, on May 28, 2022, the victim, Zahir and others were in the detached garage, when Zahir’s cousin complained about the noise the victim was making. The victim and the cousin were arguing and as the victim walked towards Zahir’s cousin, Zahir pulled out a gun and fired three shots killing the victim.

At the time of the shooting, Zahir was facing charges in King County Superior Court: attempted robbery, illegal possession of a firearm, and possession of a stolen vehicle. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Zahir will plead guilty to those charges and the state prosecutor will recommend that the sentence in state court will run concurrent to Zahir’s sentence in federal custody.

Voluntary manslaughter is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Using a firearm in a crime of violence is punishable by a mandatory minimum ten years in prison and up to life in prison.

The actual sentence will be determined by Judge Martinez after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  The judge is not bound by the recommendations of the defense and prosecution and can impose any sentence allowed by law.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Tulalip Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Tate London. Mr. London serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.