‘A whole lot of shell casings’ — groups exchange gunfire at Puyallup church parking lot
An argument between multiple groups of people led to gunfire in a Puyallup church parking lot Saturday evening, injuring an innocent bystander, police said.
Police first responded the incident shortly after 7:00 p.m., describing it as “an altercation” in the 600 block of 9th Avenue Southwest that led to shooting. The location is the First Christian Church of Puyallup, near Sparks Stadium.
Numerous shots were fired, said police spokesman Jason Visnaw.
“It looks like there were several groups of people in this church parking lot firing at each other,” he said. “We’re recovering a whole lot of shell casings and looking at cars with bullet holes in them.”
Visnaw said the incident appeared to be connected to the nearby Western Washington Fairgrounds, not the church. The Taste Northwest, an annual event featuring food and live music, is taking place this weekend. Attendees parked at the church and headed to the venue.
By the time police arrived, the parking lot had emptied. Only the injured woman, 60, remained. She had been in the backyard of a friend’s house doing yard work when she heard what she thought were fireworks and tried to take a look.
“She stepped where you can see through this narrow breezeway,” Visnaw said. “One person was running toward that house, and ran between the garage and neighbor’s house. It looks like people were shooting at that person running and struck this woman in the leg. Very unlucky.”
The woman’s injury was not life-threatening, they added. Police found bullet holes or shattered windows in 13 cars.
As of 9 p.m. Saturday, police had not found any suspects, or evidence that anyone else was injured or hit by the gunfire.
“Everyone split,” Visnaw said. “There was nobody here when we arrived except the woman with the injury. We have not found anyone who’s been struck. Detectives are canvassing this neighborhood to make sure.”
Police closed 9th Avenue Southwest between 5th Street Southwest and 7th Street Southwest while they investigated. No arrests have been made. Visnaw said video footage from neighbors and the church might reveal more details as the investigation continues.
This story was originally published July 1, 2023 at 7:53 PM.
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