Parkland armed robber shoots at law enforcement after taking hostage, deputies say

Pierce County sheriff’s deputies have shot and arrested a man Thursday after he shot at law enforcement during a hostage situation in Parkland, a department spokesman said.

The incident happened at a used car dealership in the 13400 block of Pacific Avenue South about 7:40 p.m., sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said.

An armed suspect trapped in the business and continued to shoot at law enforcement, Troyer said. He barricaded himself inside the business and was armed with three rifles and a handgun.

The suspect, who was wearing body armor, was shot by a Pierce County deputy before being taken into custody, Troyer said. He was taken to a Tacoma hospital inside a deputy’s patrol car.

No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

A robbery “went sideways” at the tire store next door to the used car lot, Troyer said, and deputies arrived quickly and three of the employees got out of the dealership.

The “heavily armed” suspect grabbed the fourth person and took them hostage in a back room, Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor said.

Deputies were able to safely rescue the hostage, Troyer said.

Pacific Avenue will likely be closed in the area into the night. Units from the Tacoma Police Department and the Washington State Patrol assisted deputies during the standoff.

Staff photographer Joshua Bessex contributed to this report.

This story was originally published September 6, 2018 at 8:20 PM.