On
05/23/13 at approx. 10:18 p.m., Fife Officers responded to a reported Domestic
Violence Assault at a residence in the 200 block of 55th Ave
E. The initial report was that a mother was being assaulted by her adult
son, and that the mother was also running down the street asking to “send
help”. Officers contacted the mother, who had responded
to the residence to assist with the care of her 4 year old
grandson. The suspect, highly intoxicated and depressed over the
death of a close friend, had called his mother to come and care for his
child. The mother was initially allowed to remove the child, but
the suspect’s demeanor suddenly changed and he became aggressive. The
suspect forcibly removed the child from his mother’s vehicle and re-entered the
residence. The mother was concerned for her grandchild’s welfare
and entered the residence. The suspect physically assaulted the
mother, grabbing her arm, striking her, and preventing her from calling
911. The mother fled the residence, calling 911 for assistance.
Officers have responded numerous times to this location for violent crimes
involving the suspect. The suspect is flagged in a law
enforcement database as being armed and dangerous, with prior hostile contacts
with Law Enforcement and numerous prior arrests.
Officers
arrived and began speaking with the suspect over the
telephone. The suspect informed Officers that he would not
release the child, would not come to the door, and was armed with a
pistol. The suspect was observed walking on the second floor
of the residence, using the child as a shield, and at one point he actually
held the child out the window. Pierce Metro SWAT was
activated and responded to the scene.
Negotiators
spoke with the suspect for several hours, attempting to convince him to release
the child. Eventually, the suspect agreed to release the
child, but only to the child’s grandmother. At approx. 0245
hours, the suspect moved the child to the front porch of the residence.
While on the porch, the suspect attempted to pull the child back into the
residence. Pierce Metro SWAT then engaged the suspect, and the
suspect was struck by gunfire. The child was removed to safety, and
medics with the Tacoma Fire Department began to treat the
suspect. The suspect was transported to St. Joseph’s hospital
where he died as a result of his injuries.
Currently,
the Pierce Metro Crime Response Unit is processing the scene and the
investigation is ongoing. The child and grandmother are
safe, and have been reunited with the child’s mother.
