Probe Into Prison Death Of Arcan Cetin, Cascade Mall Shooting Suspect, Concludes

EVERETT, WA - Snohomish County authorities have concluded an investigation into the jailhouse death of Arcan Cetin, who was on trial accused of killing five people at the Cascade Mall in Burlington last September. Cetin, 20, was found dead in his cell at the Snohomish County Jail on April 16. Cetin was being tried in Skagit County, but was being housed in the Snohomish jail.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office major crimes unit on Monday announced the conclusion of the probe finding that the cause and manner of Cetin's death was suicide, which concurs with the medical examiner's finding. Cetin was found hanging in his cell in the evening on April 16.

Cetin went to the Cascade Mall on Sept. 23, 2016, with the intent of killing a large number of people, according to charging documents. Cetin had tried to carry out the shooting at the mall's movie theater, but couldn't gain access. Instead, he walked in the Macy's store and opened fire with a .22 rifle. He killed Sarai Lara, 16; Chuck Eagan 61; Belinda Galde, 64; Beatrice Dotson, 95; and Shayla Martin, 52.

Cetin was facing five counts of aggravated murder, and was facing the possibility of either life in prison or the death penalty.

Image via Dean Rutz/Associated Press