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Mother killed, son wounded in apparent break-in

The woman's daughter said someone had been harassing her brother. The last threat, which involved a gun, was several days ago.
Julie Knechteo was shot to death when a group of young men came to her south Everett home around 4:30 in the morning. Photo: Family photo.

A woman was killed and a teen was injured in a shooting in Everett Thursday morning. The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office said a juvenile male was detained for questioning.

The shooting happened at a home in the 12600 block of Gibson Road near Paine Field Community Park.

A sheriff's office spokesperson said two calls came into 911 at 4:45 a.m., one for a burglary and the other for shots fired.

Deputies arrived to find a woman her 50s and a 17-year-old boy with gunshot wounds. The woman died at the scene. The boy was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Witnesses say there may have been several suspects involved, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies believe the woman lived in the home and the teen lived in a shed-like building on the property.

Alichia Young openly grieved for the loss of her mother, Julie Knechteo, Thursday afternoon.

"My mom has always put everybody in front of her. She always chose her kids over her own life," said Alichia.

Knechteo was a hardworking mother of four. She worked at the local Fred Meyer and lived in the Village Green Mobile Home Park with several relatives, including her son 17-year-old Michael.

Alichia said someone had been harassing her brother, Michael. This was the fourth time in the last three months that he was threatened when someone came to the door. The last time was just a few days ago.

"He opened it with a foot against the door. Someone stuck a 9mm in the doorway and he just slammed it shut," she said.

This time, however, shots were fired. Michael was wounded, his mother killed.

Alichia said she believes her mom died trying to save her son.

"My little brother would probably be dead if my mom hadn't stepped in," she said.

A motive remains unclear at this time.

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