Update on the death of John Huynh

An update on the killing of John Huynh from UW Bothell Chancellor Wolf Yeigh and Cascadia College President Eric Muray. Huynh was killed Sunday, April 25, at an apartment complex at 112th Ave NE and Beardslee Boulevard in Bothell.

We confirmed yesterday afternoon that the suspect in Huynh’s killing, Ian Williams — whom the City of Bothell Police Department arrested that day — is a UW Bothell student and was previously a Cascadia College student. He remains in custody.

We and the entire campus community are shocked and saddened at this horrific event. Our thoughts go out to Huynh’s family and friends as they grieve his death.

The City of Bothell Police continue to investigate “all possible motives” and have identified 10 witnesses and “anticipate others could be identified in the coming days.” We will provide any assistance that we can to further the investigation, and we encourage anyone with information to contact the City of Bothell Police Department.

We cannot speculate on a motive, yet the fact that Huynh was an Asian American man undoubtedly brings renewed pain for members of a community that has already been subjected to increased acts of violence and discrimination in our region and nationwide. These recent acts build on historic racism against Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and create a climate of fear that this killing only worsens.

Members of the UW Bothell community are encouraged as needed to seek counseling or other help through our Counseling Center. UW Bothell faculty and staff can also request assistance from UW CareLink.

Our thoughts are also with all of you in this difficult moment, and we know that you join us in lifting up John Huynh’s memory and his loved ones in your hearts.