Recent gun violence at Point Defiance Park prompts early closures this week
Two recent shootings at Point Defiance Park, including one Saturday that injured a 9-year-old girl, have prompted parks officials to close the popular park earlier than usual this week.
The park will closed at 8:30 p.m. through July 16. The park usually closes at sunset, which on Monday was set to occur at 9:06 p.m.
“This weekend’s incident is the second shooting at Point Defiance in less than two months,” said Stacia Glenn, Metro Parks Tacoma’s spokesperson. “We want to make sure to take the time to access the situation.”
Metro Parks Tacoma set the closure of one of Tacoma’s most popular parks on July 9, one day after the shooting that left the girl with a gunshot wound in the arm. The incident also has led to Point Defiance increasing its security, Metro Parks Tacoma said.
“Metro Parks is saddened by the increase in gun violence in our community and the negative impact it is having on Tacoma’s parks,” Glenn said.
The News Tribune is awaiting a report on the specific number of increased security personnel. In a recent meeting, Metro Parks Tacoma also decided to implement extra cameras at the Pearl Street entrance of the park, Glenn said.
“Closing Point Defiance Park early this week gives Metro Parks an opportunity to fully assess the situation and understand the impacts before we make further determinations for the safety of the community,” Glenn said in an email.
The closures will only be at Point Defiance Park and will not affect special events.
In addition to Saturday’s shooting, on May 23 a woman’s head was grazed by a bullet during an attempted robbery.
“If Metro Parks believes there is a concern and they want to adjust their hours based on that concern, we absolutely support that,” said Shelbie Boyd, Tacoma police department spokesperson.
You can find alerts of closures and other Metro Park Tacoma information at the Metro Parks website.
This story was originally published July 10, 2023 at 1:01 PM.
