Murder mystery: Who killed Adriel Webb?
SEATTLE - Seattle police are asking for your help to solve the murder of Adriel Webb, a promising young man who was gunned down during the violent summer of 2020.
The holidays can be especially hard for families of victims of violent crime. That emotional struggle can especially be difficult when a crime goes unsolved.
"I love Christmas," said Shalonie Barnett, mother of Adriel Webb. "It's always been one of my favorite holidays and I did not decorate because I didn't feel the spirit of Christmas."
Shalonie Barnett feels empty, as the unsolved murder of her 18-year-old son left her derailed.
"This was my child. This was my everything. Please don't wait for it to happen to you for it to matter. It matters," Barnett said.
Adriel Webb had just graduated from Seattle Urban Academy, and enrolled at Highline College to study engineering.
"Adriel had a dream, he had a future, he had a plan," said Felix Amenyo, one of Adriel's mentors.
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On Monday, July 20, 2020, at around 10:15 p.m., Adriel and two friends were on their way back home from a barbecue when their car had engine trouble. They pulled over at a gas station on 23rd and East Cherry Street.
When Adriel and another teen lifted the hood to check the engine, they were ambushed.
"Neither of them saw this coming and the end result was my son losing his life," Barnett said.
Adriel was shot 11 times, his friend was shot once, and the driver wasn't wounded. Adriel was the only one killed.
Seattle police say the surveillance camera at the gas station wasn't working, so they have no description of the suspect or suspects.
"I have a strong feeling that someone in the community is certainly aware of who committed this crime," Barnett said.
Shalonie says she still hasn't talked to the two teens who were with her son that night, but also understands their reluctance. She says Adriel was not the intended target.
"I know that it may take years for them to come to even give me a hug. I've often said, damn, you guys were the last people with my son. I want to know what my son said. I want to know what he felt. Did he call out for me or his dad? I have not talked to those kids."
She says Adriel walks with her in spirit and truth every day. She thought she was preparing him for a life, but in hindsight, she believes he was preparing her.
"He was great. He was always there to uplift me or to encourage me even when I didn't know it was happening. These are the things that I miss most now," Barnett said.
As much as she is still struggling with what happened, Shalonie believes the killer is capable of redemption, but accountability must come first.
"What did we teach them at home? I knew that my kid didn't have a gun. Did those parents know that their kid didn't have a gun or that they did? I love my son. My son laid in bed with me and watched movies. Did those kids have that?"
She hopes somebody will help Seattle police finally identify his killer…but this isn't just about her loss.
"It's very important to me to keep my son's name alive but also to solve his murder. I don't want this to happen to any other family. Am I under the grandiose idea that it will not? Sadly, no. I know that this will repeat, but I would like us to have more preparedness for it, which sounds insane to even say. Yeah, we have to do better as a community."
If you have any information that can help Seattle police solve Adriel Webb's murder, Crime Stoppers will pay you a $1,000 cash reward. You will remain anonymous. Text a tip through the P3 Tips app, or call 1-800-222-TIPS.
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