Kent man faces murder charge after dispute over stealing soda

A 28-year-old Kent man faces a second-degree murder charge for allegedly running over a smoke shop clerk with a Jeep on the West Hill after the clerk tried to stop him from stealing a can of soda.

Jahmari Jaali Simpson pleaded not guilty to the charge Oct. 1 at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Simpson remains in custody at the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle with bail set at $2 million, according to jail records. He is scheduled to return to court Oct. 20 for a pre-trial hearing.

Si Bog Lee, 58, of Covington, died of a blunt force head injury, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, which ruled the death a homicide. Lee died Sept. 22 from his injuries at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, six days after the Sept. 16 incident at the E-Z Smoke and More shop, 26022 Pacific Highway S.

Prosecutors accused Simpson of “purposely running down a store clerk in front of the store,” according to charging documents filed Sept. 26 by Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Aubony Burns.

“Prior to the deadly assault, the defendant had been involved in an altercation with the store clerk,” Burns wrote. “The clerk chased him out of the store after the defendant shoplifted a soda can. The defendant could have backed his car up, could have turned away, and chose instead to drive into and over the victim.”

Burns wrote that Simpson didn’t stop to see if Lee was OK, did not render aid and did not call for help.

According to charging documents, Simpson first entered the store at about 7:39 p.m. Sept. 16 and asked Lee for a pack of cigarettes or rolling papers that Lee placed on the cash register. Simpson then walked to the back of the store and returned with a can of Canada Dry soda, placed it on the counter and began to count his money.

Simpson placed three $1 bills on the counter and then exited the store without any items, according to charging papers. He returned to the counter shortly after and moved the soda can aside as if to suggest he was not going to pay for it. He placed another $1 bill on the counter.

Lee took the $4, completed the transaction and gave Simpson his change and the small pack of cigarettes or rolling papers. Simpson quickly grabbed the soda can at the same time Lee reached for it. Simpson exited the store and Lee followed him to retain the soda which had not been paid for.

Video footage from an interior camera reportedly showed a Jeep Patriot or Liberty parked along the curb in front of the store. The two men appeared to have a physical altercation by the Jeep. Simpson eventually got in the driver’s door and Lee moved to the front of the vehicle and began hitting the grill and the hood with his hands.

The Jeep reportedly nudged Lee a couple of times as he began to move out of the way, according to charging papers. The Jeep then rapidly turned left and accelerated into Lee causing him to fall backwards and hitting his head on the sidewalk.

The Jeep then appeared to run over Lee’s legs which were hanging off the curb before the vehicle is seen driving away. A detective’s review of videos showed Simpson reportedly had room to drive around Lee.

A review of video footage also showed Lee had what appeared to be a box cutter in his hand.

Kent Police arrested Simpson Sept. 23 without incident at the Birch Creek Apartments, 12900 SE 273rd Pl., where he lived. Detectives reviewed Flock camera video to track down the Jeep Patriot. The police department has the cameras at intersections across the city that capture the license plate of every vehicle.

Simpson and his Jeep also were reportedly involved in a shoplift incident Sept. 15 at the 7-Eleven at 1481 W. Meeker St. A clerk at the store took a photo of Simpson’s vehicle and obtained the license plate. Detectives used that incident to help connect Simpson with the Sept. 16 killing, according to charging documents.

After his arrest, Simpson reportedly agreed to be interviewed by detectives after he was read his Miranda rights.

Simpson allegedly admitted he was at the E-Z Smoke and More shop the evening of Sept. 16. He claimed the clerk charged him extra for the smokes.

A detective obtained a receipt from the transaction that showed it would have cost $4.54 for the smokes and soda, so an additional 54 cents would have completed the transaction.

Simpson told detectives it’s crazy the clerk wanted to kill him over 50 cents, according to charging papers. He said he would understand if he would’ve taken $20 worth of stuff.

Simpson said Lee told him to give the soda can back. He said he walked out of the store with the smokes and soda. He admitted to fighting Lee outside by his vehicle and said Lee slashed him with a knife, according to charging documents. Simpson said he threw the soda can at Lee, which hit him in the face.

Simpson said he then got into his vehicle and described purposely running over Lee and driving away, according to charging papers.

Prosecutors noted that Simpson’s criminal history includes convictions for a first-degree theft and unlawful display of a weapon in 2018 in King County when he attacked a man and took his wallet; and convictions in 2023 in King County for third-degree theft and fourth-degree assault when he refused to leave a 7-Eleven store despite being asked to leave while eating food he had not paid for and later returned and took a phone from another customer in the store.

Earlier criminal history includes fourth-degree assault in 2012; third-degree theft in 2013; and reckless driving in 2015 and 2018. He also has juvenile court convictions in King County in 2011 for fourth-degree assault and third-degree theft.

Simpson also appears to have an open fourth-degree assault, malicious mischief and criminal trespass case from Aug. 30, 2025 in Burien Municipal Court and another theft and malicious mischief case in Burien from Aug. 27, 2025.