Seattle Uber Shooting: Husband Charged With Murder In Wife's Death

SEATTLE, WA – The man who allegedly killed his wife Saturday in Seattle while riding in an Uber had been drinking heavily and arguing with his wife shortly before the killing, according to King County prosecutors. Cameron J. Espitia, 31, was formerly charged with second-degree murder Thursday afternoon. Prosecutors allege that Espitia shot his wife once in the back of the head after they left the wedding of mutual friends where Cameron Espitia had decided to "cut loose."

Espitia was being held on $3 million bond, and will next appear at an arraignment on July 13.

The charging documents provide a glimpse into what allegedly happening before the shooting. According to the documents:

The couple had attended the wedding of mutual friends Saturday at a hall in West Seattle. After consuming “numerous” alcoholic drinks at the reception, Cameron Espitia wanted to attend a wedding after-party, but his wife wanted to take him back to their Hillman City home.

Rather than wait for a party bus related to the wedding, the couple ordered an Uber, and were picked up outside the Courtyard Marriott along Westlake Avenue. Inside the car, the couple argued. The Uber driver told police that the couple had dispute over a family member, and Cameron Espitia grew belligerent, telling his wife to “go f—k yourself.”

At one point, Cameron Espitia requested to be let out along Aurora Avenue. Jennifer Espitia told the Uber driver to keep going. Cameron Espitia was seated behind the driver, and Jennifer Espitia was in the front passenger seat.

A few minutes later, the Uber driver noticed that the ride had been cancelled in the Uber app. When the driver went to ask why the ride was cancelled, he suddenly heard a loud boom and saw Jennifer Espitia’s face “drop.”

Fearing for his own life, the driver asked Espitia where he would like to be dropped off. Espitia told the driver to pull over, and then walked off. The driver drove for one more block an then called 911 to report the shooting.

Seattle police later located Cameron Espitia along Queen Avenue North near the Safeway. He told police he was “having a bad night” with his wife and that she had stranded him. He also told police that he worked for the military – Espitia was a U.S. Coast Guard marine enforcement officer – and was carrying a gun.

Police arrested Espitia, and he was brought to the police station. At the time of his arrest, he allegedly had dried blood spatter on his right shoulder.

Espitia told police that he didn’t remember anything after getting in the Uber. The detectives noted that he smelled strongly of alcohol, but did coherently answer their questions.

Espitia made an initial appearance at King County District Court on Monday, where he wore an anti-suicide smock. Police noted that Espitia made references to suicide, saying that his life was “no longer worth living.”

The couple had been married since 2013 and lived in a home along South Orcas Street in South Seattle. Jennifer Espitia was from Mercer Island and worked at the professional services firm Marsh & McLennan Co.

At his hearing Monday, Espitia's coworker at the Coast Guard, Elliot Felix, told the court he couldn't believe Espitia would do something like shoot his wife.

"I would not in 1 million years believe he would do that," Felix said of the accusations against Espitia.

If convicted, Espitia faces more than 20 years in jail.

Image via Neal McNamara/Patch.com