Pierce County deputies respond to 4 shootings, 1 stabbing over New Year’s weekend
PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — Pierce County deputies had a busy New Year’s weekend, attending to multiple incidents including four shootings and one stabbing. The violent episodes resulted in four injuries, with one individual in critical condition.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD), the first incident occurred around 12:07 a.m. on Sunday in the Tehaleh neighborhood in the 12900 block of 193rd Avenue East. Deputies were dispatched to a stabbing report where a man suffered cuts but fortunately avoided serious injuries.
Two suspects, engaged in an argument with the victim, attempted to stab him before fleeing the scene in a car when neighbors rushed to intervene, as per PCSD. Appreciating that the Tehaleh neighborhood had only one entrance and exit, deputies quickly located the suspects’ vehicle. Foot pursuit followed, resulting in the capture of one suspect by deputies. Utilizing a K-9 unit and a drone, law enforcement eventually managed to apprehend the second suspect, who was hiding in a garbage bin. Both suspects were subsequently booked into Pierce County Jail on charges of assault and obstruction.
Shortly after, at approximately 1:30 a.m., deputies were summoned to Cheers Bar in University Place, located at 7100 27th Street West, due to a fight that had broken out. Reports suggest that a man assaulted a woman inside the bar, prompting other patrons to come to her aid. In the ensuing chaos, the suspect dropped a firearm on the ground, retrieved it, and proceeded to point it at the bartender. After unsuccessful attempts to flee through the back door, the individual fired multiple rounds at the lock before making his escape through the front doors. Fortunately, no one was harmed by the gunfire, and investigators from the PCSD are examining the scene. At present, the suspect remains at large.
The violence continued when deputies responded to a shooting at Hudson Court Apartments in Parkland around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. Multiple gunshots were fired into an apartment and several cars, resulting in one woman sustaining a non-life-threatening injury. At this point, there are no identified suspects in this case.
On Monday at 6:10 p.m., deputies were dispatched to Rite Aid located at 176th Street East and Gem Heights Drive following a report of a road rage shooting. Collaborating with the fire department, deputies initiated an investigation into the incident. PCSD announced that the shooting occurred on Meridian, and subsequently transferred the case to the Washington State Patrol. Fortunately, the victim’s injuries were non-life-threatening.
Shortly after 7 p.m. on Monday, deputies were called to University Place after receiving reports of gunshots on Hannah Pierce Road West. Upon arrival, they discovered a man outside his vehicle with gunshot wounds. Although the injuries were serious, medical professionals expect him to survive. PCSD believes that the assailants specifically targeted the victim. While the shooters managed to strike five occupied apartments and several parked cars, no additional injuries were reported. Multiple suspects fled the scene, and no individuals have been taken into custody thus far.
To aid in these ongoing investigations, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department encourages anyone with information about any of the four shootings or the stabbing to come forward. Tips and information can be submitted to the sheriff’s department directly or anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Individuals can visit Tpcrimestoppers.com, call 1-800-222-TIPS, or utilize the Crime Stoppers app.
In the interest of public safety, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department urges the community to provide any relevant information that may assist in these cases to help bring those responsible to justice.
