Parkland shooting likely a targeted hit

A man who was released from Walla Walla State Penitentiary a week ago was shot early Saturday morning outside a Parkland night club.

The shooting occurred at 2:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the business in the 10000 block of Pacific Avenue South.

The victim, a 23-year-old man, was sitting in a vehicle when four or five individuals in hoodies approached him and opened fire, Pierce County Sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said Saturday.

The man was hit by several bullets, but is expected to survive. At least two guns were used and more than 20 casings were recovered, Troyer said.

“We believe it was a targeted attempt,” Troyer said.

The victim has gang ties, Troyer said. He is not fully cooperating with the investigation.

Several cars in the parking lot of the business were hit by bullets.

Troyer said detectives have not determined if the Parkland shooting is related to the Tacoma shooting on Pacific Avenue just half-hour earlier. In that case, two people were found shot at the scene, and three others arrived at the hospital shortly after.

This story was originally published August 20, 2016 at 4:03 PM with the headline "Parkland shooting likely a targeted hit."