UPDATE: October 30 at 10:55 p.m.
Statement from Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste
“Earlier today, Washington State Patrol Trooper Dean Atkinson’s attacker was found guilty and received a prison sentence of more than 25 years for his horrible actions. I appreciate the work of the court and the jury in this case and am relieved that such a dangerous individual was fairly and appropriately sanctioned. Also, I am so thankful that Trooper Atkinson is continuing his service to the state of Washington as a trooper, leader, and friend.”
UPDATE: October 30 at 7:10 p.m.
The courtroom was filled with Trooper Atkinson, his family, fellow troopers, police officers and sheriff deputies for the sentencing.
O’Neel received a sentence of more than 25 years in jail for premeditated attempted murder in the first degree, assault with a deadly weapon and attempting to elude police. He was credited with more than three years for time already served.
Court documents revealed that O’Neel had been served an eviction notice in 2022 and threatened to shoot an officer if they tried to evict him.
Trooper Atkinson was driving down Poplar Street when O’Neel exited a vehicle and shot him before fleeing the scene.
Trooper Atkinson made a full recovery after the shooting and has since returned to work.
UPDATE: October 30 at 4:45 p.m.
O’Neel was sentenced to just over 25 years in Walla Walla County Superior Court today. Details of the sentencing to come.
WALLA WALLA, Wash. — After pleading guilty in September, the man accused of shooting a Washington State Patrol trooper in 2022 will be sentenced at a hearing Thursday afternoon.
Brandon O’Neel shot trooper Dean Atkinson as Atkinson was driving down Poplar Street. Atkinson fully recovered and returned to work.
That shooting happened the same day police investigated an ultimately unsubstantiated bomb threat at an apartment O’Neel was being evicted from.
O’Neel initially pleaded not guilty to the shooting.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE: OCTOBER 30 at 12:48 p.m.
