Hello faithful family and friends!  As most of you are aware, this fund was started for my nephew Alex. I want to update you specifically, as to what has happened since we started this fund. For those of you who are visiting our Go Fund Me page for the first time, thank you for taking your time to read our story. This is what is at stake for our family… You may have heard about Alex’s story from our local news media outlets in Washington State. You likely heard the new media’s story, but they are not reporting on the FULL story, nor do some of them have their facts straight. I provided the major outlets with my nephew’s side of the story, court records, and this Go Fund Me page. However, I have yet to see any of them update their stories. In short, the news media coverage is not reporting accurate information. If you are willing to take your time to read this story, I will provide you with REAL facts about my nephew and how he is truly the victim in all of this. Who is Alex? For those of you who know Alex, you know he is one of the sweetest, brightest, and loving young men out there. Alex is only 22 years young, and a hard worker. Alex loves to spend time with his family and loves nature. Alex was diagnosed with Epilepsy about two years ago. If you are not familiar with Epilepsy, let me provide you with a few facts taken directly from www.epilepsy.com: 1.     Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the nervous system. Epilepsy is also known as a seizure disorder. It is usually diagnosed after a person has had at least two seizures (or after one seizure with a high risk for more) that were not caused by some known medical condition. 2.     ONE-THIRD: Number of people with epilepsy who live with uncontrollable seizures because existing medications do not work for them. 3.     Commonly Reported Triggers: a.     Specific time of day or night; b.     Sleep deprivation – overtired, not sleeping well, not getting enough sleep; c.      Flashing bright lights or patterns; d.     Alcohol or drug use; e.      Stress; f.      Not eating well, low blood sugar; g.     Specific foods, excess caffeine or other products that may aggravate seizures; h.     Use of certain medications; and i.       You CAN die from epilepsy. While death in epilepsy doesn’t happen frequently, epilepsy is a very serious condition and individuals do die from seizures. The most common cause of death is sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). While there is a lot we still don’t know about SUDEP, experts estimate that 1 out of every 1,000 people with epilepsy die from SUDEP each year. People can also die from prolonged seizures (status epilepticus). 1.9% of deaths in people with epilepsy is due to this type of seizure emergency. What Happened to Alex? Due to Epilepsy, Alex’s doctor said Alex must be six months free of any seizures to obtain his driver’s license.  For that reason, Alex had been taking a city transit bus to his work in Mukilteo.  Alex worked the night shift, which meant he was taking a bus late at night through downtown Everett.  If any of you have been in Everett during the day, the crime, homelessness, and other negative lifestyles worsen through the night.  The night of the incident, a man attempted to smoke drugs on the bus.  The bus driver and the city of Everett have failed to keep passengers safe by not calling the authorities when this happens and continue to let the passengers stay on the bus and do drugs.  Alex, worried for his medical safety, asked the man not to do drugs on the bus.  After they exchanged words, the man stood up and blind-sided Alex from behind with a punch to the face and proceeded to attack Alex.  Any head trauma can cause epileptic seizures. Alex fought back to protect himself but was unable to separate himself from the other man.   Alex felt the man reach for his waist, where his registered gun was located. Alex feared for his life, and with only a second to react, and in self-defense, he shot the man. Sadly, the man did not survive. Alex is the victim; however, he is now facing serious charges even though his life was threatened. Here are a few things the media has failed to mention: 1.     Alex was trapped on a bus going at least 25 miles per hour, with nowhere to run or hide. 2.     The man reached for Alex’s waist where his registered gun was located. 3.     The man had a criminal history involving violence and drugs. 4.     Alex has no criminal history. 5.     The man also had a friend on the bus, with a criminal history involving violence and drugs. 6.     The friend removed the man’s backpack from the scene and kept it until questioned by the police about it. 7.     During the interview, the friend disclosed the man that attacked Alex had a knife in his backpack. 8.     At the scene, the police found a screwdriver, drugs, a pipe, a torch lighter, and a Dollar Tree bag full of nail polish remover, where the man was sitting when he attacked Alex. 9.     Alex carried his firearm openly as allowed by state law. 10.  After the incident occurred, Alex unloaded his gun, and told the bus driver to call the police, and waited for the police to arrive. 11.  Alex suffered from a seizure in the back of the police car, and shared this with the police officers, who noted this information.  Immediately following, Alex was questioned by the police. All of this information is available to the public (media included), and takes only a little research to find out the facts (truth).   Here are a few things to think about: 1.     The blow to the head could have caused Alex to have a seizure at that very moment. 2.     Alex did not know who the man was, what drugs the man was smoking, or how the man would behave on said drugs. 3.     This incident could have been prevented if the State of Washington, and more specifically, the City of Everett, took more corrective action to sincerely help people who have fallen victim to drug addiction, especially for those who have become victims of drug addicts with criminal and/or violent history. 4.     My nephew never wanted to be in this situation, but at the risk of losing his own life, he protected himself.   Dates to know: This incident occurred on March 7, 2021. The prosecutor filed a felony complaint in Everett District Court and requested bail in the amount of $500,000.00. The police report stated Alex was not a threat to the community, he likely would not flee if released on bail, and that he did not have any prior charges or convictions. Thankfully, the prosecutor’s request was denied, and bail was set at $75,000.00. We scraped together the 10% bail bonds fee in order to have Alex be safe at home where he can be monitored for seizures, attend his medical appointments, and recover from the incident. On March 26, 2021, the prosecutor filed the felony charges in Snohomish County Superior Court and AGAIN requested the Court raise the bail to $500,000.00. We started this Go Fund Me on March 28, 2020, because the public defender assigned to Alex just moved from Colorado, has not been practicing law for long, and is not too savvy with Washington law yet. While Alex did qualify for a public defender, he did not qualify for pro bono (free) services from a private criminal defense lawyer. Alex’s arraignment hearing was set for April 12, 2021. With all the love and support from our family and friends, we were able to scrap together $15,000.00 for a partial retainer for Alex’s new attorney. He agreed to work with our family to come up with a payment arrangement that fit both his needs and our financial ability for the remaining $35,000.00.  At the arraignment hearing, the Prosecutor once again requested bail be increased to $500,000.00.  Judge denied his request and allowed the bail to remain at $75,000.00.  It was our understanding that due to COVID and the court system being backed up as a result, we may not see a trial date for at least a year. However, at the arraignment hearing, Judge set the trial date for June 25, 2021. In addition to the $35,000.00 payment arrangement, we need to raise $20,000.00 for the attorney’s trial fee before the trial date and will need around $20,000.00 for expert witness fees and costs. This includes paying for medical experts, prepare reports for trial, and for their live testimony at trial. Also, private investigators fees and costs are included with that, for researching, interviewing, reporting, and appearing in court. Why this case is important: Not only is this case important because my nephew’s future and life are at risk, but Alex’s case may become a high-profile case. We need to get gun rights activists, epilepsy awareness, victims of drug crime, and any other group that this story touches, to share this story, stand up for their cause, and make their voice be heard as well. We need to continue to raise awareness about the drug and crime violence happening in our own back yard, and now is the time to act. How can you help? Donate: We need at least $80,000.00 before June 25, 2021, to pay for Alex’s legal battle. Although Alex’s attorney has agreed to a very generous payment arraignment, we still need help. If 800 of our family and friends donate $100.00 each, we can reach that goal in no time.  If you can afford to, any donation no matter how big or small will help. 100% of donations received (minus fees) will go directly to Alex’s attorney’s fees and costs, expert fees and costs, and any other court costs. Share: If you cannot afford to donate, I pray you have time to share his story. Please forward our Go Fund Me link, post it to your social media accounts, and spread by word-of-mouth. Pray: I trust in God! I know it is going to be a long and bumpy road. However, with the love and support of our family and friends, and your continued prayers, Alex will continue to grow as a person, live a full life with his family, and he will pay it forward! If you prefer to donate by cash, check, Venmo or any other form of payment, please email, text, or call me directly. Thank you in advance to everyone for your time, support, love and donation if you can help! ~ Love, Team Alex

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