Man Found Not Guilty for Random Shooting of Pregnant Woman in Seattle

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The suspect in a 2023 random shooting in Seattle that left a pregnant 34-year-old woman and her unborn baby dead, and injured the woman's husband, has been found not guilty by reason of insanity. Cordell Goosby, who was 30 at the time of the shooting, approached the couple at random as they were stopped in traffic and reportedly emptied a 9mm handgun into their Tesla, killing Eina Kwon and her unborn child. Goosby's defense and the prosecution both determined he was insane at the time of the shooting, leading to the court permitting a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex legal and mental health issues surrounding crimes committed by individuals with severe mental illness. The not guilty by reason of insanity verdict means Goosby will be committed to a state psychiatric hospital, rather than facing criminal charges, raising questions about public safety and the balance between punishment and treatment for those deemed legally insane.

The details

Goosby approached the Kwon couple at random as they were stopped in traffic in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle in 2023. He reportedly emptied a 9mm handgun into their Tesla, killing 34-year-old Eina Kwon, who was 8 months pregnant, and injuring her husband Sung Kwon. Both the defense and prosecution determined that Goosby was legally insane at the time of the shooting, leading to the not guilty by reason of insanity verdict. Goosby could now be held indefinitely at a state psychiatric facility, with his release requiring approval from multiple state and court entities in the distant future.

• The shooting occurred in 2023.
• Goosby was 30 years old at the time of the shooting.

What’s next

Goosby could be held for life in Western State psychiatric hospital, and several state and court entities would have to approve any future petitions for his release or increased privileges based on his behavior.