The Pierce County sheriff’s SWAT team used tear gas to force a 70-year-old man to leave his Spanaway home Wednesday after he fired a gun inside the house and at neighbors and deputies.
The man was taken into custody and treated for his exposure to the tear gas, sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said. No one was hurt during the incident in the 15900 block of 19th Avenue.
Deputies were called about 8:30 a.m. after the man reportedly fired a shot inside his house and threatened to kill himself.
After deputies arrived, the man reportedly fired again, including at the deputies, Troyer said.
Three other people were in the home at the time. Two left when deputies arrived. A third climbed down a ladder from a window.
The SWAT team was called in and fired eight small canisters of tear gas into the home, forcing the man out, Troyer said.
Afterward, investigators found several bullet holes inside the house.
Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268 stacey.mulick@thenewstribune.com
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