SEATTLE - Prosecutors have now charged a man with aggravated first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of his 13-week-old daughter and his girlfriend.
Daniel Thomas Hicks, 29, is on the run and considered armed and dangerous. Police believe he killed 28-year-old Jennifer Morgan and the couple's daughter, Ema, sometime Monday.
The bodies were found Tuesday morning by the little girl's grandmother at their home at 1330 S. Ferdinand Street.
According to probable cause documents, Jennifer and Hicks had rented the basement of the home from Jennifer's parents for the last several years.
While the family was thrilled over Ema's birth, Hicks apparently was not. The documents say Jennifer had confided in her mother that Hicks was upset the child was not a boy. He also allegedly was jealous and suspicious of Jennifer and expressed reservations that he was actually Ema's biological father.
According to the documents, Jennifer's mother went to work Monday afternoon, believing that Jennifer was going to tell Hicks he should move out. When her mother returned that night, Hicks' truck was gone. All was quiet in the basement, so the mother believed Jennifer and Ema were asleep.
The next morning, when Jennifer's mother went downstairs to check on them, she found the bodies. Police say both Jennifer and Ema had been shot multiple times.
Hicks' half-sister allegedly told detectives that Hicks was "paranoid and refused any help" when Ema was born. One of Jennifer's co-workers told detectives that Hicks once threatened to kill Jennifer and himself, and had two loaded guns on him when he made the threat.
Jennifer's mother told police that she even asked Hicks' brother, who was home for Thanksgiving from deployment in Iraq, to talk to him about his allegedly abusive behavior. But, it did no good.
Because of the aggravated circumstances in the charges, Hicks could face the death penalty if convicted,
Hicks is described as a light-skinned black male, 6-feet-4 tall, 160 pounds with brown eyes and short hair. He may be driving a white 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck with a chrome tool box in the bed, with Washington license plate number A68135Z.
Police say Hicks has several guns registered to his name. If you see him, do not approach him. You're asked to call 911 or the Seattle Police Homicide Unit at 206-233-5000.
Those wishing to remain anonymous are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or send a text to CRIMES (274637). Your text message should include "TIP486" to ensure proper routing. If a tip leads to an arrest and the filing of charges, you may receive a $1,000 reward.
A vigil is planned outside the Morgan home beginning at dusk Thursday.
A memorial fund for the family of the victims has been established. You can donate to:
Jennifer and Ema Morgan Memorial Fund
Washington Federal Savings Bank
4800 Rainier Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98118
