On 02-26-2024, at 9:29 pm, our deputies responded to a call for a shooting a the Sprinker Recreation Center in Parkland. The caller stated there was a fight and then someone started firing shots. Deputies responded to the parking lot and no one from the fight or shooting remained. Deputies found several shell casings and blood on the pavement.
Two victims showed up to the local emergency room in Parkland and deputies were flagged down there. Both victims were transported to Tacoma General Hospital for life threatening injuries and were in critical condition.
Detectives and forensic investigators responded to the scene to collect evidence and interview witnesses. Detectives learned the victim agreed to meet with the suspect and fight at the Sprinker Recreation Center. The two knew each other from work and had been arguing over a girl. The suspect had recently been harassing the victim at his new place of employment and they agreed to this fight.
The two fought and then the suspect’s friend attempted to take a turn fighting the victim, who refused. A few minutes later the suspect pulled out a gun and shot the victim and another 22-year-old male bystander who was with the victim. There were over 30 shell casings located at the scene.
Today at 11:37 am, undercover deputies located the suspect’s vehicle and arrested him after a felony stop. The passenger in the vehicle was the suspects friend who had a loaded Glock handgun with an extended magazine and a full-auto switch on it.
The main suspect, a 19-year-old male, was arrested and booked into the Pierce County Jail for two counts of Assault in the 1st Degree. His friend, also a 19-year-old male, was arrested and booked for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.
Both victims were still listed in critical condition this morning.
