State Of Washington, V Anthony E. Huff-McKay

CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington
DecidedJune 30, 2026
Docket59812-4
StatusUnpublished

This text of State Of Washington, V Anthony E. Huff-McKay (State Of Washington, V Anthony E. Huff-McKay) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

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State Of Washington, V Anthony E. Huff-McKay, (Wash. Ct. App. 2026).

Opinion

Filed Washington State Court of Appeals Division Two

June 30, 2026

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

DIVISION II

STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 59812-4-II

Respondent,

v. UNPUBLISHED OPINION ANTHONY EDWARD HUFF-MCKAY,

Appellant.

VELJACIC, C.J. — Anthony E. Huff-McKay appeals his convictions for two counts of

unlawful imprisonment, two counts of malicious mischief in the second degree, and one count of

obstructing a law enforcement officer. He contends that insufficient evidence supports his

convictions. We affirm.

FACTS

I. BACKGROUND FACTS

One evening, a large crowd gathered at an intersection in downtown Tacoma for a “street

takeover[]” where drivers spin their vehicles in an intersection while blocking traffic. 2 Rep. of

Proc. (RP) at 487. Traffic was blocked for approximately 15 to 20 minutes before police arrived.

Spectators cheered on the drivers.

Huff-McKay was one of the spectators. As the cars did circles, Huff-McKay stood near

the vehicles and filmed them. When the police arrived, Huff-McKay repeatedly shouted, “Block

the cops!” Ex. 55 (20210123_182707.mp4), at 21 sec. to 31 sec. He ordered the other spectators 59812-4-II

to “Get the fuck over here! Block the cops! Get the fuck over here! . . . Let’s go! Ey! Ey!” Ex.

55 (20210123_182707.mp4), at 34 sec. to 42 sec. The video shows Huff-McKay and the crowd

moving toward and around the police cruiser.

When Tacoma Police Officer Khanh Phan arrived, a group of at least 30 people, including

Huff-McKay, converged on his patrol car. The group quickly surrounded the car with Huff-

McKay pushing toward the front. The crowd began beating on the windows, hood, and sides of

the car while shouting “pigs.” 3 RP at 860. They threw bottles at the vehicle and kicked the doors.

Phan eventually drove his vehicle forward to escape and ran over Huff-McKay who was standing

in front of Phan’s vehicle.

When Tacoma Police Officer Rader Cockle arrived, members of the crowd began pounding

on his patrol car. He heard objects striking the vehicle and his windows cracking amid the crowd’s

screaming and yelling. He observed that Huff-McKay was on the ground, but Cockle was unable

to respond because he believed he would be assaulted if he exited his vehicle. Cockle radioed for

medical assistance. Huff-McKay was taken to the hospital and treated for his injuries.

II. CHARGES

The State charged Huff-McKay with two counts of unlawful imprisonment involving Phan

(count 1) and Cockle (count 2), two counts of malicious mischief in the second degree based on

creating a substantial risk of interruption of service to the public by damaging or tampering with

an emergency vehicle involving Phan (count 3) and Cockle (count 4), and one count of obstructing

law enforcement (count 5). Regarding counts 1 through 4, the State charged Huff-McKay as either

a principal or an accomplice.

2 59812-4-II

III. TRIAL

Phan testified to what happened when he arrived on scene as set forth above. He further

testified that he felt his vehicle rocking back and forth and heard a bottle hit his window. Phan

heard liquid spilling down his window and was concerned the object was a “Molotov cocktail,” a

type of homemade firebomb. 3 RP at 958. Phan was afraid for his safety and felt his life was in

danger. He worried that the mob would pull him out of his vehicle, take his weapons, and injure

him. Phan believed the crowd wanted to cause him either serious injury or death. Huff-McKay

was among the crowd gathered in front of Phan’s vehicle.

Phan testified that he began reversing slowly, but he quickly realized he could not see

behind him as his mirrors were blocked by people surrounding his vehicle. Concerned that backing

up could cause a collision with another car or the officer behind him, leaving them “stuck there”

and giving “the crowd . . . an opportunity to attack both officers,” Phan decided to proceed forward.

3 RP at 961-62.

Phan testified that as he moved forward, some people moved out of the way, but then he

felt a bump and realized he may have hit someone. Phan proceeded through the intersection and

continued up a hill from where the crowd was gathered. Once he was clear of the crowd, Phan

turned around to check for injury. As he was returning, he saw a truck approaching his vehicle at

a high speed and members of the crowd chasing him on foot. At that point, Phan chose to leave

the area for his safety. It was later confirmed that Phan had run over Huff-McKay.

Exhibit 55, which was a video taken on Huff-McKay’s phone, was admitted at trial. It

shows Huff-McKay yelling, “Block the cops,” the crowd responding, and Huff-McKay moving

with the crowd. Ex. 55 (20210123_182707.mp4), at 21 sec. to 31 sec.

3 59812-4-II

A witness testified that that group acted in “mob fashion” as they began hitting, kicking,

shaking, and yelling at the police. 2 RP at 555. Another witness testified that the crowd

approached the police vehicles like a “wave.” 3 RP at 890. Both witnesses testified that Phan

could not have moved without potentially hitting somebody.

Tacoma Police Officer Chris Bain testified that upon arriving, he observed a large crowd

moving as a single mass around Phan’s vehicle, punching, kicking, and shoving it. Bain drove

away from the intersection and then returned on foot and called for medical aid to respond to Huff-

McKay, who was lying in the road.

Cockle testified that he was a few minutes away when he learned over his radio that Phan’s

patrol car was surrounded and that people were kicking it, so he proceeded to the location. Upon

his arrival, individuals directed obscene gestures at him and yelled at him. The group began

attacking Cockle’s car, screaming “Fuck you. Fuck that cop. Fuck him. Get him. Drag him out.

Kill that cop. Kill him. Pull him out.” 3 RP at 1103. The group then began pulling on the top of

his door frame, like they were trying to bend the window or open the door.

Cockle continued to drive toward Phan, believing he was on “an officer rescue situation.”

3 RP at 1104. As he neared the intersection, Cockle saw a patrol car “go flying up the hill” and

Huff-McKay lying on the ground. 3 RP at 1104. The crowd continued to swarm Cockle’s vehicle,

hitting it and screaming. Cockle testified that he believed he could not leave his vehicle because

he would be assaulted. Since he was prevented from physically going over to Huff-McKay, he

radioed dispatch to tell them there was an individual down who needed medical assistance.

Cockle attempted to leave the area but was unable to do so due to the crowd surrounding

his vehicle and parked cars blocking traffic. He tried to back up but his backup camera just showed

“legs and darkness.” 3 RP at 1107. He was concerned that focusing on his backup camera would

4 59812-4-II

divert his attention from his surroundings, leaving him vulnerable to an unexpected attack. Cockle

felt the “crowd’s goal was to kill [him].” 3 RP at 1108.

Cockle armed himself with his handgun and repeatedly announced over his loudspeaker

that he would use it if the crowd failed to disperse. Despite his warnings, the crowd did not move.

Cockle threatened to hit a vehicle directly in front of him if the crowd did not disperse. At that

point, Cockle heard something hit his back window, shattering it.

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State Of Washington, V Anthony E. Huff-McKay, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-of-washington-v-anthony-e-huff-mckay-washctapp-2026.