Lynnwood Woman Dies Two Months After Being Shot by Stranger

LYNNWOOD — A tragic incident in Lynnwood has left a woman dead after she was shot by a stranger who had broken into her home. Julia Altukhova, 32, succumbed to her injuries two months after the deadly shooting spree that took place in Marysville and Lynnwood.

A Tragic Incident

In August, Julia Altukhova became one of four victims in a shooting spree that spanned Marysville and Lynnwood. She and her husband were both shot and rushed to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where they received critical care for several weeks.

After a long and difficult battle, Julia Altukhova tragically passed away on October 18 due to the injuries she sustained during the incident. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed her death this month.

The delay in announcing her death was attributed to a miscommunication with the family liaison, according to Nicole Daugherty, the medical examiner’s operations manager.

Remembering Julia Altukhova

Julia Altukhova was born in Saratov, Russia, and had a deep passion for animals. She earned a master’s degree in zoology and dedicated her life to studying sea lions and fur seals. Her research took her to the remote and untamed regions of the Bering Sea and Pacific Ocean.

Surrounded by the beauty of nature and the majesty of wildlife, Julia fearlessly worked alongside bears, foxes, otters, seals, and numerous soaring birds. Her dedication to the animal kingdom was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Julia is survived by her parents, her husband Alexey Altukhov, and their two children. Her warm personality, love for art and animals, and boundless spirit will always be cherished and celebrated by those whose lives she touched.

The Tragic Events Unfold

The horrifying incident took place on the morning of August 10 when Gilbert “Alex” Escamilla forcibly entered the Altukhov home on 164th Street SW and 48th Place West. Prosecutors believe that Escamilla had just fled the scene of another shooting in Marysville, where he fatally shot a man named Ryan Ezzy outside an apartment complex.

At 6:50 a.m., Julia Altukhova called 911 to report a man with a gun fighting with her husband. She explained to the dispatcher that she had been sleeping when the intruder broke into their home and that the assailant was a stranger.

Security footage revealed Escamilla chasing Alexey Altukhov and firing shots inside the house before leaving in the couple’s gray Toyota RAV4 parked outside. He returned to the house upon hearing screams and proceeded to shoot Julia Altukhova and Alexey Altukhov’s mother, Tatyana Voynova.

Tragically, Tatyana Voynova, 68, was found in the living room with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Julia and Alexey sustained critical injuries in adjacent bedrooms. Thankfully, their two young children, who were hiding in a closet, were unharmed.

Justice Sought

The accused, Gilbert “Alex” Escamilla, has been charged with two counts each of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. He also faces charges of first-degree burglary, unlawful firearm possession, motor vehicle theft, and attempting to elude the police.

Community Support

Following the devastating incident, a fundraiser was set up to support the Altukhov family. Generous donors have contributed over $143,000 to help them during this difficult time.

Julia Altukhova’s obituary expressed the love and loss felt by those close to her, saying, “Rest in peace, dear Julia. You will forever be missed, and your memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved you.”

For more information or to contribute to the Altukhov family fundraiser, please contact Maya Tizon at 425-339-3434 or via email at maya.tizon@heraldnet.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @mayatizon.