Accused Killer Gomez Leaves Suicide Note, Plans to 'deprive society of the circus it so bloody craves...'
Fugitive murder suspect Kino Gomez, accused of killing Seattle music engineer and producer Tom Pfaeffle in July, could be hiding somewhere in the North Cascades - or lying there dead, Okanogan County law enforcement officials suspect. In an apparent suicide note this week, the former King County road engineer (he resigned effective Monday) says he has left on a "one-way trip" to the mountains with his guns, warning authorities to keep their distance: "Let no one get in my way - I will not be very kind. Despair has now changed to anger," he wrote in a "Goodbye" note to his family, obtained by Seattle Weekly.
"Lose my freedom? Lose my gun rights? I'd rather be dead," he said. "Society's sheep will never comprehend the principle." He repeated some of the same concerns he expressed to SW in a story published last week: "The media, the bloggers, the police, the justice system, none of whom witnessed the alleged crime, already hung me. Hell, the justice system has even likened my 'crime' to that of Charles Manson, for crying out loud! Well, just for spite, I shall deprive society of the circus it so bloody craves - the bearded lady quit[s]!"
A nationwide no-knock arrest warrant was issued this week for Gomez, 57, a Beacon Hill resident charged with killing Pfaeffle for trying to mistakenly enter Gomez's motel room in Twisp, in the Methow Valley. Pfaeffle apparently mistook Gomez's room for his; his key fit into the door, police said, because Gomez's lock was broken. Gomez, who had a chair braced against the door and was sleeping with two handguns, rose up and began firing. Afterwards, he told police, he "came to my senses" but still thought an intruder was outside. He hid in his bathroom until police coaxed him to surrender.
SW this week learned Gomez changed his name from Miguel Esquerra in the late 1980s, when he worked for the state Department of Transportation. A co-worker recalls he carried a pistol in his lunch box. "He said he carried the gun for personal safety reasons that he would not share," says the co-worker, who later learned from another worker that his concerns were related to "something from a political situation going back to the Philippines," Esquerra/Gomez's native land.
In his goodbye note [Update: the letter was mailed Sept. 4, giving Gomez - free on $100,000 bail - a long head start], the fugitive writes:
"By the time you read this letter, I will be gone. I have taken a one-way trip to the mountains. It is where I belong. Over the years, I have contemplated the type of exit I will make, barring death by natural causes. This is the one I chose then, it is what I now plan to do...As usual, I am packing two pieces [guns]...It will be quick and painless."
He said it was "a big mistake" to voluntarily give up and speak to police after the shooting, when he provided details that indicated he fired recklessly in killing Pfaeffle, 49, owner of a recording studio in Black Diamond and an instructor at the Art Institute of Seattle.
Facing a possible long prison term and a likely civil lawsuit, Gomez told his family (he's divorced with no children, but has an ex-wife and many relatives in the area): "I regret that I had caused you the embarrassment, the financial burden I cannot possibly repay and the grief. I am sorry. You all take care."
11 comment(s)
Tim says:
F*ck you Kino Gomez. If only we could trade you to get Tom back.
Posted On: Thursday, Sep. 17 2009 @ 11:37AM
Aaron says:
Talk about not taking responsibility for your own actions, what a worthless human being... This trigger happy POS took the life a man that made the world a better place for everyone... he'll probably kill himself like the chicken sh*t he is!
Posted On: Friday, Sep. 18 2009 @ 12:27AM
Fred says:
I would be nice if he had a trial before you hang him.
Posted On: Friday, Sep. 18 2009 @ 8:26AM
Mich says:
With all due respect, it doesn't seem like anyone is willing to acknowledge Tom's responsibility in this either. What was his blood alcohal level? Most people return to the manager when the key won't turn, what possessed him to break the lock and force the door open that was reportedly blocked from inside? Nobody should have died, but there was no "accidentally walking into the wrong room" in this case. It would have been best to have seen this go to trial, but I'd have to agree that it may not have been a fair one anyway. I am sorry to see that so many have suffered from this.
Posted On: Friday, Sep. 18 2009 @ 11:18AM
Karen says:
People, get your facts straight. Tom didn't break the lock, it was already broken, so the key Tom held went easily into the lock, and assuming he was at his room, he proceeded to open the door which was blocked by a chair. As soon as he realized his mistake, he pulled the door shut, and was shot through the door. Blood alcohol level?? How many times have you been at a hotel/motel and accidentally gone to the wrong room? It happens so easily. Who sleeps with 2 loaded weapons on their person???!? Someone of questionable character and sanity, if you ask me, unless he is someone who has need to be afraid for his life, like a drug dealer or some such. Now the fact that he has fled pretty much sums it up. He is guilty, he knows it, and he's taking the chicken-sh*t way out. Good riddance, you parasite.
Posted On: Friday, Sep. 18 2009 @ 3:07PM
Debra says:
It is frightening to think that in todays world we have to worry about getting shot if we make the simple mistake of going to the wrong door of a hotel/motel. Come on...we have all done that at some point.
The nerve of Mich above to mention Tom's responsibility in this. I have known Tom for over 25 yrs and because of a paranoid crazy man a very RESPONSIBLE son, husband, FATHER and friend is gone forever.
Posted On: Friday, Sep. 18 2009 @ 8:42PM
Bud says:
Why hang the guy before the trial? Is it a crime to be paranoid? I don't know what happenned, but his is one of the most responsible guy I've ever known.
Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 14 2009 @ 12:08AM
Anonymous says:
I hope that you did NOT take your life over a tragic accident. I hope you are safe somewere and can move on and forgive yourself. Ignore the ignorant public that found you guilty without a trial. They are not the judge. They are just haters. Take care.
Posted On: Friday, Oct. 16 2009 @ 9:34AM
A loving friend says:
Look for this story on "America's Most Wanted", it is only a matter of time before this is aired! This bastard who took our TOM will be found (guilty of manslaughter)and will pay for the devastating loss his family will carry with them forever..... Val, Athena, Wolfy, Carley and Isabelle!
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 3 2009 @ 6:20PM
Family friend!!!!!! says:
KINO MICHAEL GOMEZ SUPPORTERS! HE KILLED TOM! DO YOU HAVE IT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH LIKE WE ALL DO?
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 3 2009 @ 7:05PM
Anonymous says:
people like you are the reason kino took off. what he did was personal defense against a drunken idiot that couldend control his actions
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 23 2009 @ 2:27PM