Dion Lamar Montgomery, a 35-year-old man from Seattle, Washington, has been charged with the homicide of his eight-month-old son, Alaisea Matai Montgomery, according to King County prosecutors. The incident occurred on May 8, when Montgomery allegedly shot his son in their Magnolia neighborhood home while he was sleeping.
The series of violent events began earlier that day when Montgomery reportedly fired shots at two people on the street at 22nd Avenue West and Thorndyke Avenue West. They informed the authorities that they took cover behind a car while the gunman kept firing, and although they were unharmed, two nearby vehicles were hit by the gunfire.
Following that incident, Montgomery returned home and allegedly shot his infant son in the eye while he was in his crib. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Alaisea died from a gunshot wound to the head and ruled the death a homicide.
Upon arrival at the scene at 22nd Avenue West and Thorndyke Avenue West, Seattle police quickly initiated a lockdown of the area and using the witnesses’ descriptions, detained Montgomery a few blocks from his home. Montgomery was unarmed at the time of his arrest
As the Seattle PD was apprehending Montgomery, a 911 call came in describing a woman wielding a gun outside an apartment complex, not far from Montgomery’s location, according to a report by a detective. The authorities discovered a firearm on the street and took the woman, who seemed greatly distressed, into custody. She reportedly informed the police that her husband, Montgomery, had shot their child. Upon entering the family’s apartment at the 3000 block of 21st Avenue West, officers found Alaisea in a blood-soaked rocker, dead from a close-range gunshot wound. According to the police report, the child was shot from approximately one foot away.
Recounting the events, Montgomery’s wife revealed she had been in the bathroom at the time of the shooting. Upon hearing the gunshot, she confronted Montgomery, who allegedly dismissed the sound as being caused by a blank. She claims she took the gun away from him, and immediately sought help.
Montgomery attributed his actions to hallucinations induced by PCP, a powerful hallucinogenic drug he claimed to have taken. This assertion was supported by a subsequent assessment by a drug recognition expert, who noted that Montgomery’s behavior and inability to answer questions during interrogation was consistent with being under the influence of PCP. A blood test was administered to confirm the substance use. Montgomery blamed his actions on “demons,” according to Seattle police.
Montgomery’s wife told police that her husband routinely carried a gun and had recently acquired PCP. According to her statement, Montgomery had bought the drug about a week before the incident.
The family is struggling with the loss, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to cover Alaisea’s funeral and cremation costs, as well as to support his mother.
Given the serious nature of the charges and Montgomery’s previous track record of court non-appearance, prosecutors have recommended a $5 million bail. His criminal history includes convictions for assault, theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, and attempting to evade police, dating back to 2002. The last time he was arrested was in 2013. Montgomery is currently being held at the King County Correctional Facility and is scheduled for arraignment on May 23. He is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to online jail records.
In a statement, King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg said, “The violent nature of these allegations and the impact on the community and the family are profound. The high bail amount reflects the severity of the charges and the need to ensure the defendant’s appearance in court.”
As the case proceeds, the community remains in shock over the events. “His smile was contagious,” a family member said of Alaisea on the GoFundMe page, describing the young boy as “strong, angelic, smart, sweet, [and] witty.” The family has expressed their grief and asked for support during this difficult time.
This case comes amid broader discussions about firearm possession and drug use in the city. The Seattle Police Department has faced increased scrutiny and calls for reform, particularly in handling cases involving mental health and substance abuse.
The incident has also sparked conversations about the effects of PCP, a drug known for its severe psychological impacts. PCP, also known as angel dust, can cause hallucinations, delusions, and violent behavior.
