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Nearly 25 years after Tom Wales’ killing, FBI renews $2.5 million reward offer

Federal investigators say the 2001 shooting of Seattle prosecutor Tom Wales remains an active case and are urging anyone with information to come forward. The reward for information leading to a conviction is up to $2.5 million.

Nearly 25 years after Tom Wales’ killing, FBI renews $2.5 million reward offer
SEATTLE — Federal investigators are renewing their appeal for information about the killing of Tom Wales, a Seattle federal prosecutor shot at his home on Oct. 11, 2001. With the 25th anniversary approaching, authorities say the investigation remains active and the federal reward for information leading to a conviction is as much as $2.5 million. Wales was seated at his desk beneath a window when someone in the backyard fired at him. Investigators have said a man was seen fleeing the scene. Neil Floyd, first assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, said the shooter would have been very close to Wales. Authorities say they continue to examine leads and people connected to the case, while acknowledging investigators may have overlooked other possibilities. FBI Seattle Special Agent in Charge Mike Herrington said agents are actively working the investigation, not simply waiting for tips. The passage of time may also bring new information, Herrington said, as people’s relationships change and details once considered unimportant take on new meaning. Amy Wales, Tom Wales’ daughter, said in a statement Friday that she remains grateful for the time she had with her father, despite having now spent more years without him than with him. She described his commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law, and said he may have died for those ideals. Wales was also active in Seattle civic life, serving on the Seattle Planning Commission and the mayor’s Citizen Advisory Committee. His killing remains unsolved. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the FBI. The reward is available for information that leads to the conviction of the person responsible.

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