SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - Boeing is defending itself against allegations it failed to prevent a murder-suicide near its plant in Renton, Wash., by pointing out the crime did not occur on its property.
Boeing filed a motion to dismiss Jan. 23 in Seattle federal court, days after it decided to remove the lawsuit filed by the estate of Isaiah Washington from state to federal court. A love triangle led to Washington's murder in November 2022 by Ralph O'Connor.
The suit contends O'Connor had made threatening remarks to Boeing employees but the company failed to act on them. O'Connor knew what time Washington's shift would start on Nov. 21, 2022, and shot him as he walked through Renton Landing to the Boeing plant.
"O'Connor was not at work when he pulled the trigger," the motion to dismiss says. "The shooting did not take place on Boeing's property or during work hours.
"O'Connor's independent actions, while tragic, were unforeseeable, and were in no way connected to work."
Court documents reveal that Washington was engaged in a romantic relationship with Rachel Pettit, who held a supervisory position over him. Meanwhile, O'Connor had also been involved in a long-term romantic relationship with Pettit and allegedly exhibited possessive behavior and anger issues.
He had previously been suspended by Boeing for threatening another employee and was married during his relationship with Pettit.
Despite being aware of the escalating situation between the three employees, Boeing allegedly failed to take any action or provide mental health support to O'Connor. The complaint accuses Boeing of negligence leading to harm suffered by Mr. Washington.
Boeing says the timeline of events doesn't lead to a conclusion it was negligent. O'Connor had texted coworkers that he wanted to 'pull the trigger,' and a manager was aware of it and other messages.
"The messages at issue, though, were sent the weekend before the shooting and O'Connor never returned to work before he killed Mr. Washington on Monday," the motion says.
"In other words, Boeing did not decide to retain O'Connor after it allegedly learned of the text messages. Further, foreseeability is an essential element of all negligence claims, but the complaint contains no allegations suggesting that Boeing knew or should have known that O'Connor might kill or harm somone other than himself."
The texts only show O'Connor was suicidal, Boeing says. The company is represented by Laura Hill and other attorneys from Perkins Coie in Seattle.
The plaintiff is represented by Sumeer Singla of Williams, Kastner & Gibbs PLLC based in Seattle, and Lawand Anderson of L.A. Law & Associates in Des Moines, Wash.