PULLMAN, WA – The 20-year-old University of Washington student accused of shooting a Washington State University football player at a party after the Apple Cup has pleaded guilty to a reduced felony.

Jakori Buchanan of Seattle pleaded guilty Friday in Whitman County Superior Court to felony 3rd degree assault. Buchanan was sentenced by Court Commissioner Doug Robinson, who was filling in for Judge Roger Sandberg on the bench on Friday. Commissioner Robinson sentenced Buchanan to the maximum of 3 months in jail and placed him on probation for a year.

Buchanan was initially charged with 2nd degree felony assault, misdemeanor assault, and possession of a firearm under the age of 21. He shot Cougar football player Sone Falealo during the early morning hours of September 21st at a party in the Aspen Heights apartments in North Pullman. Pullman Police say Buchanan assaulted a woman at the party, and he and his cousin were being removed from the apartment by Falealo. Officers believe that Buchanan hit Falealo in the head with a handgun twice before he shot him in the abdomen. Falealo suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Buchanan and his cousin then fled the scene to King County in a rental car. He was arrested two days later in the Seattle area.

Buchanan’s private attorney argued that he was acting in self-defense. Chief Deputy Prosecutor Dan LeBeau handled the case for the state and says that the victims, including Falealo, support the plea deal. You can hear LeBeau comment on the resolution of the case at the link below.
Buchanan’s felony conviction also makes it illegal for him to possess a firearm.