Man Who Shot Woman in Head at Red Top Motel Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years in Prison
A 32-year-old man, Joshua Seth, has been sentenced to 19 ½ years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including shooting a woman in the head at a motel in Spokane Valley, Washington. As part of a plea agreement, Seth admitted to two counts of second-degree assault, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, and attempting to elude a police vehicle.
The incident occurred on March 30, 2022, when a man went to collect a debt from Seth. Afterward, the man returned to the Red Top Motel, where he was staying with his wife. They were inside their motel room when they heard gunshots and realized the wife had been shot in the head. The victim’s condition remains unclear, but she survived the attack. The day after the shooting, she was discovered unconscious with a bullet lodged in her brain at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center.
Surveillance footage from the motel and another nearby business captured a silver SUV, similar to Seth’s Nissan Pathfinder, driving past the motel around the time of the shooting. Nine gunshots can be heard on the recording as the vehicle passed by.
Following the incident, Seth and an unidentified woman left a residence on South Zabo Road in the Pathfinder the next day. Investigators had been surveilling the residence and attempted to stop Seth, but he fled in his vehicle. Later, Seth sought refuge at a family member’s home in Spokane Valley, where he confessed to the family member that he was being pursued. He then hid the Pathfinder in the backyard and stashed a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol in a workbench drawer.
During his court appearance, Seth expressed remorse for his actions and apologized to the victim’s family. His attorney stated that fentanyl had played a significant role in Seth’s criminal behavior that day, but he had since transformed his life while incarcerated for the past 15 months.
As part of the sentencing, Seth will serve an additional 18 months of community custody once he is released from prison.
The case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of gun violence and the lasting impact it has on individuals and their families. It also highlights the dangers of substance abuse, such as fentanyl, which can contribute to impulsive and violent behavior.
This incident underscores the need for stricter gun control measures and efforts to combat the opioid crisis. Authorities should continue working towards providing adequate support and resources for individuals struggling with addiction and mental health issues in order to prevent further tragic incidents like this one.
The sentence imposed on Joshua Seth sends a strong message that acts of violence will not be tolerated in our society. While it cannot undo the harm caused, it serves as a form of justice for the victim and a deterrent for others who may contemplate similar acts.
Our thoughts remain with the victim and her family as they navigate the long road to recovery. It is our hope that they find solace and healing in the midst of this traumatic experience.
