A 23-year-old man has been charged with first degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the fatal shooting of a Kent man outside an apartment complex in May, according to charging documents filed in King County Superior Court.
King County prosecutors charged Robert Bernard Ousley, 23, with first degree murder in the death of Marcus Pressley, 25, who was fatally shot May 24 in the parking lot of the Chandlers Bay Apartments in Kent.
Prosecutors also charged Ousley with second degree unlawful possession of a firearm, alleging he was legally prohibited from possessing a gun because of prior felony convictions.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is seeking bail of $10 million, arguing that Ousley poses a danger to the community, presents a flight risk and could interfere with the administration of justice.
According to court records, Kent police responded around 3:59 a.m. May 24 to reports of a shooting at the apartment complex located at 8708 S. 235th Place. Officers found Pressley suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts by officers, firefighters and medics, Pressley was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives recovered approximately 11 fired 9 mm cartridge casings and multiple bullet impacts near the scene.
A probable cause certification filed by Kent Police Detective Garrett Gunderson states that a key witness told investigators she had driven Pressley, Ousley and others from Seattle to Kent after they left a nightclub. The witness told police there had been no argument or disagreement during the ride. After arriving at the apartment complex and dropping Pressley off, the witness said she saw Ousley standing outside the vehicle with a handgun and firing multiple shots.
The witness also told investigators that after the shooting, Ousley got back into the vehicle and allegedly threatened to kill anyone who identified him to police. According to charging documents, the witness reported that Ousley said the shooting was retaliation because “Marcus’s homies are the ones that killed my homie two years ago.” Prosecutors described the shooting as a “premeditated and targeted killing.”
An autopsy found Pressley suffered nine gunshot entrance wounds, all to his back, according to court records. At least four bullets remained in his body.
Investigators said cellphone location data, surveillance video from a Seattle gas station and social media records helped place Ousley with the witness and victim before the shooting. Court documents state Ousley’s cellphone connected to a tower less than one half mile from the crime scene shortly before the shooting.
During a June 9 interview at Harborview Medical Center, where Ousley was recovering from injuries suffered in a separate vehicle crash, he denied remembering being with the witness or victim during the weekend of the shooting. According to detectives, Ousley said he had been receiving threatening messages from people accusing him of killing someone, but denied knowing Pressley.
Also Connected to Fatal Collision on SR 18
Prosecutors noted that Ousley is also under investigation in connection with a June 4 fatal collision on State Route 18 that killed two passengers, including 18-year-old Aniya Wellington, who investigators identified as a witness in the homicide case, and a 4-year-old child. Court records state investigators allege the vehicle was traveling more than 100 mph while fleeing law enforcement. No charges related to that crash were included in the murder filing.
Court documents also cite Ousley’s prior convictions for first degree theft and second degree unlawful possession of a firearm, as well as an active warrant for failing to appear in a separate King County District Court case. Prosecutors allege he has had 11 warrants issued since 2022, including six for failing to appear or comply with court orders.
The charges remain allegations.
Ousley is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
