Trial of Brandon O'Neel, accused of shooting police officer, postponed until December | Courts and Crime

The trial of Walla Walla resident Brandon O'Neel for attempted first-degree murder has been postponed again – this time until December.

O'Neel, 39, who is accused of shooting a Washington State Patrol officer multiple times in September 2022, signed a speedy trial waiver on Thursday, Sept. 5, according to court documents, allowing his trial to be postponed to Monday, Dec. 16.

O'Neel's next court date is scheduled for Thursday, November 14, for a pretrial hearing.

O'Neel is charged with attempted first-degree intentional murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, attempting to elude police, threatening to bomb with intent to create panic, and harassment with threats to kill.

He is accused of shooting police officer Dean Atkinson Jr. on September 22, 2022, after O'Neel was evicted from his apartment earlier that day.

According to court documents, prosecutors said O'Neel stopped his vehicle near Atkinson's patrol car on West Poplar Street, then got out and shot the officer multiple times in the hand and face.

Despite being shot in the face and hand, Atkinson drove himself to Providence St. Mary Medical Center and was later transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Atkinson was released on Sunday, October 2, 2022, and escorted by a convoy of police officers across the state back to his home in Walla Walla.