Kent Wayne Perdue II, 40, was sentenced last week to 57 months in prison for a 2021 drive by shooting and unlawful firearm possession in a case investigated by Kent Police, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Perdue was sentenced on Friday, Dec. 5 in King County Superior Court after pleading guilty to one count of drive by shooting and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree.
Under state sentencing guidelines, the range for the drive by shooting was 57 to 75 months, and the range for unlawful firearm possession was 36 to 48 months. Because the sentences run concurrently under RCW 9.92.080, the total sentence is determined by the highest range.
Prosecutors asked the court to impose a 75 month sentence at the high end of the range. The defense asked for a 57 month sentence. The judge imposed the low end of the range, sentencing Perdue to 57 months, or four years and nine months.
The charges stemmed from an early morning shooting on Oct. 6, 2021, near South 259th Street and 16th Ave South in Kent. A driver told investigators she had been behind the wheel while a passenger attempted to collect money he believed Perdue owed him. They reported being chased by people in two vehicles and shot at as they fled through East Hill neighborhoods.
The passenger later told investigators he had previously purchased fentanyl pills from Perdue and said Perdue was angry when confronted about the money. He reported seeing a handgun in Perdue’s waistband before leaving and then hearing gunfire as they drove away, according to charging records.
Investigators obtained warrants and searched Perdue’s Kent residence, a Des Moines address, and a storage unit in the Auburn area. They reported finding firearms, ammunition, and suspected narcotics including fentanyl pills, cocaine and methamphetamine.
Prosecutors noted in earlier filings that Perdue had four prior felony convictions, including robbery cases in King and Chelan counties. In a 2015 King County robbery case, prosecutors wrote that Perdue shot a victim multiple times as the person attempted to flee.
“We appreciate the work of Kent Police on this case,” the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said.
Details from Charging Documents
According to a certification for determination of probable cause written by a Kent Police Detective, Perdue was charged with:
Drive by shooting on Oct. 6, 2021:
- Shots were fired at a moving vehicle near South 259th Street and 16th Ave South.
- Victims reported being chased by two vehicles and shot at as they fled East Hill.
- Poirier told police he saw a handgun in Perdue’s waistband before the shooting.
Unlawful firearm possession:
- Perdue was prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.
- Searches of the Kent home, Des Moines address and Auburn storage unit uncovered firearms and ammunition.
Additional evidence:
- Detectives recovered suspected narcotics including fentanyl pills, cocaine and methamphetamine.
- Phone records and warrants linked Perdue to the weapons and drugs.
Criminal history:
- Prosecutors cited four prior felony convictions, including a 2015 robbery case where Perdue shot a victim multiple times.
