Key Points
- Robert Bernard Ousley, 23, was arrested and charged Wednesday in connection to the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Marcus Pressley in Kent, Washington
- Prosecutors describe the killing as premeditated and retaliatory, occurring at Chandlers Bay Apartments shortly before 4 a.m. on May 24, 2026
- Investigators recovered approximately 11 9mm casings near the shooting scene with multiple bullet impacts on a nearby building
- Autopsy results showed nine entrance wounds all to the back of Pressley’s body with at least four retained bullets
- A key witness testified Ousley was with Pressley earlier that night, exited a vehicle near the apartment, and fired as Pressley stood nearby
- Ousley threatened the witness afterward, warning that if they told anyone, they would be killed
- Cellphone data placed Ousley’s phone near the crime scene around the time of the shooting
- Surveillance video from a Shell station on Elliott Avenue West showed a person matching Ousley’s appearance arriving with a group
- Ousley denied knowing Pressley or meeting witnesses at the Shell station during detective interviews
- Prosecutors requested $10 million bail citing Ousley’s prior conviction for unlawful firearm possession, active warrant, and history of failing to appear in court
- Ousley was involved in a deadly crash on State Route 18 less than two weeks after the shooting that killed two people, including a 4-year-old child
- One of the victims in the SR 18 crash was also a witness in the homicide case, according to prosecutors
- The SR 18 crash remains under investigation and adds to concerns about public safety and flight risk
KENT, Wash. (King County Insider) June 11, 2026 — A man was arrested and charged Wednesday in connection to a fatal shooting in Kent that killed 25-year-old Marcus Pressley, and prosecutors say the same suspect was later involved in a deadly vehicle crash on State Route 18 that killed two people including a 4-year-old child.
Who is the suspect? Prosecutors say Robert Bernard Ousley, 23, was involved in a premeditated, retaliatory killing that left one man dead in a Kent apartment parking lot early May 24, according to court documents filed in King County Superior Court.
What evidence links Ousley to the shooting? The filing says the shooting happened at Chandlers Bay Apartments shortly before 4 a.m., when Kent police were dispatched after reports of gunfire. Officers found Pressley with a gunshot wound to the chest and other injuries, and medics later pronounced him dead at 4:18 a.m..
What physical evidence was recovered? According to court documents, investigators recovered about 11 9mm casings near the scene and documented multiple bullet impacts on a nearby building. An autopsy found nine entrance wounds, all to the back of the body, with at least four retained bullets.
What Did the Key Witness Tell Detectives About the Shooting?
According to the probable cause statement, a key witness told detectives Ousley had been with Pressley and others earlier that night, then got out of a vehicle near the apartment and fired a gun as Pressley stood nearby. The witness also said Ousley threatened them afterward, allegedly warning that if they told anyone, they would be killed.
The witness told police that Ousley said Pressley’s “homies” killed his “homie” two years ago, providing what prosecutors describe as the motive for the retaliatory killing.
As reported by Jake Johns of KING 5, this witness testimony forms a critical component of the probable cause statement supporting the charges against Ousley.
How Did Cellphone Data and Surveillance Video Place Ousley at the Crime Scene?
Investigators said cellphone data placed Ousley’s phone near the crime scene around the time of the shooting. This digital evidence provides objective documentation of the suspect’s presence at the location when the fatal shooting occurred.
Surveillance video from a Shell station on Elliott Avenue West reportedly showed a person matching his appearance arriving with a group before later getting into the witness’s vehicle. This video evidence creates a timeline showing Ousley’s movements before the shooting.
In an interview with detectives, Ousley denied knowing Pressley or meeting up with the witnesses at the Shell station. This denial contradicts the physical and digital evidence collected by investigators.
What Is Robert Bernard Ousley’s Criminal History?
Prosecutors also pointed to Ousley’s criminal history, including a prior conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree. This prior conviction demonstrates previous interaction with the criminal justice system regarding firearm possession.
They said he had an active warrant and a history of failing to appear in court. These factors contribute to prosecutors’ concerns about Ousley’s reliability and potential flight risk.
As reported by Jake Johns of KING 5, prosecutors asked a judge to set bail at $10 million based on these combined factors. This exceptionally high bail amount reflects the severity of the charges and the prosecutor’s concerns about public safety.
What Happened in the Deadly SR 18 Crash?
The filing further says Ousley was involved in a deadly crash on state Route 18 less than two weeks later that killed two people, including a child and one of the witnesses in the homicide case. This crash occurred in Federal Way, Washington, according to separate reporting.
According to the Washington State Patrol, investigators say the car was speeding at 130 miles per hour when the overnight collision happened on State Route 18. This extreme speed significantly contributed to the severity of the crash.
As reported by FOX 13 Seattle, two people died in that wreck and two others were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The crash blocked all westbound lanes of State Route 18 just east of Interstate 5 on Thursday morning.
Prosecutors said that incident remains under investigation and adds to concerns about public safety and flight risk. The involvement in this separate deadly incident compounds the legal concerns surrounding Ousley.
Why Is One SR 18 Crash Victim Also a Witness in the Homicide Case?
This represents one of the most disturbing aspects of the case: one of the two people killed in the SR 18 crash was also a witness in the homicide case. This means the witness who provided critical testimony about Ousley’s involvement in Pressley’s shooting died in the vehicle crash less than two weeks later.
The death of this witness potentially complicates the prosecution’s case, as they lost a key source of testimony about the shooting. Prosecutors have indicated this connection adds to their concerns about Ousley’s threat to public safety.
When Will Ousley Make His First Court Appearance?
23-year-old Robert Bernard Owsley (spelled alternatively as Ousley in some reports) is set to make his first court appearance in a King County courtroom today. He was booked into jail yesterday.
Prosecutors are asking for $10 million in bail, citing Owsley’s past criminal history. The bail hearing will determine whether Ousley remains in custody pending trial or can be released under extraordinary financial conditions.
Background of the Development
The development involving Robert Bernard Ousley represents an unusual convergence of two separate deadly incidents that occurred in King County, Washington within a three-week period. The first incident, the fatal shooting of Marcus Pressley, occurred in the early morning hours of May 24, 2026, at Chandlers Bay Apartments in Kent.
The Chandlers Bay Apartments location is a residential complex where early morning gunfire prompted police dispatch at approximately 4 a.m.. Kent police officers, medics, and Puget Sound Fire were dispatched to the scene following reports of gunfire.
The second incident, the deadly SR 18 crash, occurred on State Route 18 in Federal Way on Thursday morning, June 3, 2026. This crash involved a vehicle traveling at 130 mph that hit a guardrail and rolled over.
King County Superior Court, where the charges were filed, maintains its Maleng Regional Justice Center location in Kent, Washington. This court has general jurisdiction over criminal cases including the charges against Ousley.
The prior conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree demonstrates Ousley’s previous interaction with Washington’s criminal justice system regarding firearm laws. Washington state law strictly regulates firearm possession, and second-degree unlawful possession represents a significant criminal offense.
Prediction:
How Will This Development Affect Kent Residents and Apartment Communities?
This development can affect Kent residents, particularly those living in apartment communities, by raising concerns about safety in residential parking lots and common areas. The shooting occurred in an apartment parking lot at Chandlers Bay Apartments, a location where residents expect security.
Kent apartment residents may consider implementing additional security measures such as improved lighting, security cameras, or gated access following this incident. The presence of 11 9mm casings and multiple bullet impacts on a nearby building demonstrates the violence that occurred in what should be a residential space.
How Will This Development Affect SR 18 Drivers and Highway Safety?
This development can affect drivers on State Route 18 by highlighting the dangers of extreme speeding on Washington highways. The 130 mph speed in the crash illustrates how vehicle speed dramatically increases fatality risk.
Federal Way commuters and SR 18 travelers may experience increased caution when driving on this highway, particularly during early morning hours when the crash occurred. The crash blocked all westbound lanes, demonstrating how single incidents can cause significant traffic disruption.
Washington State Patrol may increase speed enforcement on SR 18 following this deadly incident, potentially resulting in more frequent traffic stops and citations for speeding violations.
How Will This Development Affect the Criminal Justice System in King County?
This development can affect King County prosecutors and judges by presenting complex bail determination questions. The $10 million bail request represents an exceptionally high amount that will require judicial review.
King County Superior Court judges will need to balance concerns about public safety with constitutional bail considerations when determining Ousley’s custody status. The combination of two deadly incidents involving the same defendant creates unusual circumstances for bail determination.
How Will This Development Affect Witnesses in Criminal Cases?
This development can affect witnesses in criminal cases by demonstrating the potential dangers they face after providing testimony. The death of the witness who was also a victim in the SR 18 crash highlights witness safety concerns.
Criminal case witnesses may become more reluctant to testify following this incident, potentially affecting prosecution outcomes in other cases. The witness threat made by Ousley—warning that if they told anyone, they would be killed—raises concerns about witness intimidation.
How Will This Development Affect Families Who Lost Members?
This development can affect the families of Marcus Pressley and the two SR 18 crash victims by prolonging their grief through ongoing legal proceedings. Pressley was pronounced dead at 4:18 a.m. on May 24, and his family now faces a murder trial.
The family of the 4-year-old child killed in the SR 18 crash faces additional trauma from learning their child’s death involved a suspect already charged in a separate homicide. This dual loss compounds their grief with the complexity of criminal justice proceedings.
