Suspect accused in 2024 shooting of rideshare driver in Edmonds takes the stand

The trial of Alex Matthew Waggoner, charged with the second-degree murder of rideshare driver Abdikadir Gedi Shariif, is underway in Snohomish County Superior Court. Waggoner testified that he initially denied any involvement in the shooting but later confessed to firing his weapon after Shariif nearly struck him with his car on January 3, 2024. The prosecution presented dashcam footage depicting Shariif's apology just before the shooting. Waggoner's defense argues that he acted in self-defense, believing Shariif was intentionally trying to harm him. During a police interview, Waggoner expressed remorse, stating, "I made a very bad decision.

" He also wrote a heartfelt apology letter to Shariif's family, acknowledging the irreversibility of his actions. The trial's outcome will hinge on the jury's interpretation of the evidence and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. As the case unfolds, it raises questions about self-defense laws and the consequences of impulsive actions.