After 23-year-old Charles Michael Hickman III was arrested on April 7, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office (KCPAO) brought a charge of murder in the first degree against him for the tragic murder of Queer community member Jonathan Adamow. This past New Year's Eve, Adamow was out walking when he was shot in the back and died on the scene from severe injuries.

Hickman is currently being held on a bail set at $2 million. Adamow was not Hickman's intended target that night, according to the KCPAO charging documents, which state that "the defendant took efforts to stalk out an intended target [and] find the location he could conceal himself behind to wait for the opportunity to strike, and then fired across the street towards a busy gas station when he decided to shoot." The documents state that Hickman's actions that night took an "extreme level" of planning and violence.

Adamow, known as "Jonny," was 29 years old and originally from Queens, New York, according to an online obituary. He was a marching band member in high school and loved the arts and drawing.

"Active and creative, Jonny enjoyed rollerblading, exploring nature, and creating music. As an avid artist, he had a great ability to spread light and kindness to everyone he met all over the world. Jonny will be remembered for their authenticity, compassion, love, and radiant energy, calling many places in the world their home. He spread light and joy everywhere he went and positively impacted all who crossed their path," according to the obituary.

It goes on to state how Adamow was a dedicated member of the Renaissance Faire community, and that he served as a team leader for both natural disaster relief and numerous trail crews throughout the country.

"He respected and adored the natural world and worked to preserve it," the obituary added.

SPD locates suspect
Attached to the charging documents is a "Certification for Determination of Probable Cause," written by SPD detective David Simmons, who states that there is probable cause to believe Hickman was the person who gunned down Adamow.

The murder occurred outside of a 76 Gas Station in Capitol Hill. Police canvassed the area to obtain video surveillance, through which they determined the suspect vehicle to be an Infinity, which they found circling nearby blocks. Not too long before parking in an alleyway, Hickman passed an SPD patrol vehicle, which captured and stored an image of the license plate through the car's automatic plate reader.

After Hickman exited the vehicle, he walked up to a pole and ducked behind it, according to the certification, which states, "Hickman then moved again to another larger pole and got behind it."

The document notes how Hickman stood in a concealed position for over a minute, and then a physical fight between two women broke out at the gas station. At this moment, Adamow walked behind Hickman; the two did not seem to acknowledge each other's presence, according to the SPD.

"He took what appeared to be a shooting stance and appeared to be focused to the east of his position at the 76 station," according to the certification. "As Hickman does this the Victim appeared to step into the line of fire. Another male bystander with a noticeable limp was crossing the street at the same time. It appears possible both men crossed in between Hickman's intended target and [his] right as he fired."

Police recovered ten 9mm cartridge casings at the scene. A source later came forward after viewing video clips released by the news, having recognized Hickman's clothes and car, and told the police Hickman's name.

After being arrested and read his Miranda rights, Hickman wrote an apology to the Adamow family, according to the SPD, which included the following:

"I'm apologizing for my Action's [sic] and nothing was intended for or to your boy actualy [sic] for anyone and wish my action's [sic] and though process was way better than that."

Hickman's next court date is scheduled at the King County Courthouse on April 23 at 8:30 a.m.