He questioned the quality of the mushrooms. He was stabbed and died over $300 purchase

A man who was stabbed to death outside a Tacoma home early Wednesday was fighting because he was upset about the quality of drugs he’d purchased, court records show.

Tyler Zimmerman, 27, and a friend decided to spend $300 on mushrooms, so they called an acquaintance to meet them in the 6110 block of South Fawcett Avenue.

Police said Addison Bishop, 27, and Jordan Boshears, 22, arrived about 1:40 a.m. after a text exchange about whether Zimmerman really had the money before they drove from Bremerton.

Both Boshears, of Bremerton, and Bishop, of Silverdale, pleaded not guilty at arraignment Thursday to second-degree murder in connection with Zimmerman’s death.

Zimmerman’s friend said they gave the money to the Bishop and Boshears but then decided they “did not want to go through with the drug deal once they saw the mushrooms,” according to charging papers.

Zimmerman and Bishop began fighting, and Boshears ran from the home.

The men continued their fight outside in the front yard, and Zimmerman’s friend heard him cry, “Ow, what did you hit me with? What did you hit me with?” before he collapsed.

Officers found Zimmerman lying on the ground with a stab wound to the back. He was taken to the hospital, where he died from his wound.

After she was arrested, Boshears allegedly told detectives she didn’t see what happened but admitted Bishop usually carried a knife.

Bishop allegedly said the fight started after Zimmerman decided not to go through with the drug deal and refused to try some of the mushrooms to verify their quality.

“Bishop told detectives that he repeatedly told Zimmerman to stop or he would stab Zimmerman,” records show. “He described swinging the knife towards Zimmerman, but was unsure if or where he stabbed Zimmerman.”

He allegedly threw the knife out the window as they drove away.

Court Commissioner Meagan Foley set Bishop’s bail at $1 million, and Boshears’ at $500,000.

Kara Andrew, a woman who identified herself as Zimmerman’s mother, said outside court that she didn’t know much about the stabbing.

“I’m still just trying to put everything together and wrap my head around it,” she told The News Tribune.

Zimmerman has a 7-year-old daughter, she said, and he’s also survived by four siblings, of whom he was the oldest.

He worked for a company that furnished and set up offices, and he enjoyed working on cars and gardening. Andrew said he lived with her, and that he grew roses at their Tacoma home.

His husky mix, “Theo,” was his best friend, she said.

This story was originally published February 22, 2018 at 1:31 PM with the headline "He questioned the quality of the mushrooms. He was stabbed and died over $300 purchase."