Inset: Abdikadir Gedi Shariiff (GoFundMe). Background: Alex Waggoner at his sentencing hearing for killing Shariiff (KOMO/YouTube).
A Washington state man will serve nearly two decades behind bars for murdering an Uber driver who almost hit him with a car and stopped to apologize.
A 23-year-old named Alex Waggoner was found guilty on Wednesday for the second-degree murder of Abdikadir Gedi Shariiff, who was 31. Following this, he received a sentence of 19 years and seven months in prison from Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Richard Okrent. The tragic incident occurred on the night of January 3, 2024, in Edmonds, roughly 14 miles north of Seattle. Authorities reported that Waggoner, who had been drinking, was headed to a liquor store for more alcohol when he crossed paths with Shariiff’s vehicle, narrowly escaping being hit. Shariiff was working as an Uber driver at the time.
After nearly hitting Waggoner, Shariiff stopped and lowered his window to express his apologies, only to be met with fatal gunfire from Waggoner. The judge criticized Waggoner for his dangerous and thoughtless behavior.
Judge Okrent remarked, “Few individuals would resort to drawing a weapon and firing 11 shots at someone in that context,” as per a report from KOMO, the local ABC station.
Prosecutors reportedly noted that Shariiff made a “minor mistake” and simply wanted to own it and apologize.
In a document related to sentencing, prosecutors pointed out, “The situation was typical and not life-threatening, certainly not enough to endanger anyone’s life, except apparently for Mr. Waggoner’s own perception. Mr. Shariiff did exactly what a responsible person would do and tried to make amends, which tragically cost him his life.”
Waggoner’s defense lawyer attributed his client’s behavior partially to being “captivated” by online content about self-defense and gun rights.
The attorney explained that the “narratives and viewpoints promoted by numerous YouTube videos influenced Waggoner’s decisions, leading him into precisely the kind of encounter where such videos advocate for firearms for self-protection,” suggesting it was a “self-fulfilling prophecy.”
But the judge saw these excuses as nonsense.
“There are lots of videos on gun safety, lots of videos on protecting yourself. Not one video says take out your gun and shoot somebody in the dark when somebody is trying to apologize to you for a mistake,” Okrent reportedly said.
Waggoner apologized to the victim’s family, but they weren’t interested in hearing anything from him.
“January 3rd was a life-changing day we will never forget,” said Laila Hassan, the victim’s cousin, according to local Fox affiliate KCPQ. “One less person at our dinner table, one less person standing beside his brother at prayer. It might be one less person on this planet full of billions, but his absence is felt.”
