Bystander killed in self-defense shooting at Renton trailer, police say

A bystander was inadvertently killed by a stray bullet fired in self-defense during an attempted robbery in unincorporated Renton, according to King County prosecutors.

Fernando Gastelum Jr., 28, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the alleged burglary and attempted robbery on March 27 that ended in the death of 64-year-old Johnny E. Willing.

Gastelum did not fire at Willing - he is charged with murder for causing Willing's death in the course of another crime, King County prosecutors argue. The man who fired the fatal shot was shooting at Gastelum in lawful self-defense," according to prosecutors.

Gastelum allegedly entered the trailer because he saw a vehicle parked outside belonging to a man he was angry with for giving away his dog while he was in jail, according to probable cause documents. Witnesses said Gastelum burst in, pointed a gun at the man and demanded to know where the dog was, according to charges. A witness said Gastelum then demanded the man get on his knees and give Gastelum his car keys, before the man fired a gun at him, according to charges.

Gastelum fired back, and during the ensuing exchange, Willing was struck with a bullet from the other man's gun, according to charging documents. Willing was seated next to the front door, to the left of Gastelum, according to documents.

"But for Fernando's felonious actions (the man) would not have acted in self-defense and therefore John Willing would not have been killed inadvertently in the exchange of gunfire, a senior deputy prosecuting attorney wrote.

Witnesses in the trailer said the two shooters fled from the scene in separate vehicles before King County sheriff's deputies arrived, according to probable cause documents.

Several 9-mm casings were found at the scene from the man firing in self-defense, according to documents. Willing's autopsy showed he was struck with a 9-mm projectile to the head.

A witness who knew both shooters told detectives that Gastelum had been at the trailer one or two weeks prior looking for the man, angry about his dog, according to probable cause documents.

After being arrested and interviewed on April 16, Gastelum told deputies he had a .45-caliber firearm but denied pointing a gun at the man, according to charging documents.

Gastelum's arraignment is scheduled for April 23. He is being held at the King County Jail in lieu of $1.5 million in bail.

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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 11:44 PM.