The person at the center of this case
Thomas Crane Wales
Cold Case · Open - Unsolved
THOMAS CRANE WALES
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Crane Wales was shot multiple times through a basement window of his Seattle home on October 11, 2001, at approximately 10:40 p.m. while working at his desk. The shooter, identified as a lone male suspect, fled the scene. Wales died at the hospital the next day. The murder weapon was determined to be a Makarov semi-automatic handgun with an aftermarket barrel. The case remains unsolved with a $2,000,000 reward offered.
Seattle, Washington
🏛️ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Seattle Field Office / U.S. Department of Justice
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Case Summary
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Crane Wales was shot multiple times through a basement window of his Seattle home on October 11, 2001, at approximately 10:40 p.m. while working at his desk. The shooter, identified as a lone male suspect, fled the scene. Wales died at the hospital the next day. The murder weapon was determined to be a Makarov semi-automatic handgun with an aftermarket barrel. The case remains unsolved with a $2,000,000 reward offered.
Timeline of Events
👤
2001-10-11
22:40Murder of Thomas Crane Wales
Thomas Crane Wales shot multiple times through basement window of his Queen Anne home while sitting at desk typing on computer. Lone male suspect seen fleeing scene.
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2001-10-12
Death at Hospital
Thomas Crane Wales died at hospital from gunshot wounds sustained the previous night.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Points of Interest / Key Leads
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Lone male suspect seen fleeing the scene of the crime
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evidence
Lead #2Murder weapon: Makarov semi-automatic handgun with aftermarket stainless steel barrel, rifled with six lands and grooves and left twist
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evidence
Lead #3Limited number of aftermarket barrels sold in United States - investigators working to identify and test fire possible matches
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person
Lead #4Thomas Crane Wales - 18-year AUSA specializing in white collar crime prosecution; Harvard graduate; active in civic organizations
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Case Information
Case Type:
Cold Case
Status:
Open - Unsolved
Case Number:477
Started:October 11, 2001 at 10:40 PM
Last Updated:April 26, 2026
💰Up to $2,000,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case