Bishop Legal Founder and Principal Attorney Raymond Bishop recently appeared on KING 5 News to discuss important developments in the investigation of a tragic incident involving the death of 13-year-old Emiliano ‘Emi’ Munoz in Everett.

As previously discussed in our recent blog, Emi was tragically killed when his e-bike collided with a metal cable stretched across a community path. Our firm recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of Emi’s family, seeking accountability for this devastating loss.

In his latest interview with KING 5, Ray Bishop highlighted newly uncovered information revealing that the cable Emi struck had been illegally installed in violation of Everett city code by property owners adjacent to the scene of the collision. These findings indicate that the property owners installed the cable across a public right-of-way without obtaining the required permits, creating a dangerous and unlawful hazard.

Additionally, according to the newly obtained documents, at least one city agency knew the cable had been installed in the public right-of-way for at least a year. This awareness was documented in a 2024 Everett police report, which described an incident involving a kidnapping suspect fleeing police who collided with a “single strand cable,” explicitly identified as belonging to the property owner. This earlier incident underscores both the property owners’ and city agency’s knowledge of the cable and its hazardous presence.

“It’s shocking to see they were aware of all of this and did nothing about it,” said Bishop. “Now it’s down, but someone died. If this peril had not existed in the city of Everett, my client Emiliano Munoz would be alive today.”

Watch the full KING 5 segment featuring Ray Bishop discussing the latest developments here.

The discovery that the cable was installed without the required permits and the knowledge by at least one city agency of its existence raises critical questions about the responsibilities and potential liabilities of those involved. Premises liability law in Washington generally holds property owners, including private individuals and municipalities, accountable for maintaining safe conditions and addressing known hazards.

These new details will likely influence the case by highlighting the significance of previously documented concerns regarding the cable’s installation and the actions or inactions of those responsible.

Committed to Justice for Emi and Community Safety

Bishop Legal remains committed to seeking justice for Emi’s family and preventing similar tragedies. Our firm is dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable and advocating for safer community environments.

If you or a loved one has experienced harm due to similar negligence, our experienced attorneys are here to help guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact Bishop Legal today for a confidential, no-cost consultation.