King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng today announced the filing of aggravated murder and attempted murder charges against Naveed Haq, who is accused of forcing his way into the Jewish Federation in downtown Seattle last Friday and shooting six women.

Haq, 30, is being charged with a total of nine felonies, which include one count of aggravated murder in the first degree and five counts of attempted murder in the first degree. The charge of aggravated murder in the first degree carries a sentence of either the death penalty or life in prison without release.

Haq is also being charged with one count of kidnapping in the first degree for forcing a 14-year-old girl at gunpoint to let him into the building. In addition, prosecutors are charging the defendant with one count of burglary in the first degree and one count of malicious harassment, a charge which is used in the prosecution of hate crimes.

"But make no mistake, this was a hate crime. The attack on these women was an attack on the Jewish community, not only in Seattle, but throughout our nation and the world," Maleng said.

When he arrived at the Jewish Federation building, the defendant was armed with two handguns and extra ammunition. After forcing his way into the building, he is alleged to have made several statements directing anger toward Jews and then began shooting.

Pamela Waechter will killed in the attack. Dayna Klein, Carol Goldman, Christina Rexroad, Layla Bush and Cheryl Stumbo were shot and wounded.

The defendant is being held in the King County Jail without bail pending arraignment on August 10. Maleng will have 30 days from the time of arraignment to decide whether to ask a jury to consider the death penalty if Haq is convicted.

For more information, also see State v. Haq, Statement of King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng.

Dated: August 2, 2006