Updated story: Two charged with murder in fatal East Hill shooting

The King County Prosecutor's Office filed a first-degree murder charge Monday against a 22-year-old Kent man in connection with the shooting death of a 30-year-old Kent man Oct. 15 on the East Hill. The shooting occurred after a dispute over a drug deal, according to charging papers.

The King County Prosecutor’s Office has filed first-degree murder charges against a 22-year-old Kent man and a 16-year-old Seattle teen in connection with the shooting death of a 30-year-old Kent man Oct. 15 on the East Hill.

The shooting occurred after a dispute over a drug deal, according to charging papers.

Kent Police arrested Mark Anthony McKinney, 22, of Kent, for investigation of first-degree murder at about 8 p.m. Tuesday. McKinney, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself to Kent Police. Detectives had spent five days trying to locate him.

McKinney is being held without bail at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, and is scheduled to be arraigned 9 a.m. Oct. 29 in Courtroom GB at the Regional Justice Center.

On Wednesday, King County Prosecutor Daniel Satterberg filed first-degree murder charges against a 16-year-old teen suspected of involvement with the shooting. The Kent Reporter is not publishing his name because he is a minor. The teen, who is from Seattle, also is in custody.

Danny Vu, 30, died of one gunshot wound to the back, according to charging papers. Police responded to a report of a shooting at about 9:43 p.m. Oct. 15 and found Vun lying in the 10900 block of Southeast 256th Street with a gunshot wound. Paramedics transported Vu to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he later died.

On Oct. 25, a witness saw two men running and chasing two other men on foot through the parking lot of an apartment complex along Southeast 256th Street. The witness told police that one of the men being chased carried a black bag in one hand and a silver handgun in the other hand.

The two men being chased then stopped to confront their pursuers in the middle of Southeast 256th Street. The man with the gun said, “Back up or I’m gonna shoot you,” according to witness statements.

Vu, who was with a friend, reportedly met with McKinney and the teen inside Vu’s friend’s vehicle, to sell them 3 pounds of marijuana for $7,500. The men reportedly tried to get Vu to lower the price, but he refused. McKinney and the teen then reportedly grabbed the marijuana and ran without paying.

Vu and his friend chased the two men out to Southeast 256th Street where the shot was fired. During the chase, one of the pursuers – Vu’s friend – slipped and fell, and the teen reportedly pulled a knife on him and punched him in the head.

According to reports, McKinney called a friend on Oct. 16 to tell him that when he met Vu to buy the marijuana that Vu tried to rob him. McKinney told the friend that Vu had jumped the man with him and when he pulled out his gun, Vu grabbed it. The gun then went off and McKinney said he ran away.

According to charging papers, McKinney has convictions for two felony violations of the uniform controlled substances act, four assaults, violation of a protection order, multiple criminal trespasses, obstruction and harassment.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property