Deputies investigating homicide near Gig Harbor after man shot during reported break-in
A 36-year-old man was shot and killed by a homeowner Friday morning outside a residence near Gig Harbor after he threatened to kill people inside and tried to break in, Pierce County deputies said.
Pierce County Sheriff’s Department deputies went to the home and found the man dead on the back porch, according to a news release. The shooter, a 59-year-old man, was taken to department headquarters for questioning and released in the afternoon. Deputies said once the investigation into the homicide is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.
The shooting occurred at a home near 66th Avenue Northwest and 87th Street Northwest. Deputies responded there at about 7:22 a.m. when 911 callers reported that a man tried to break into the home and had been shot.
The man killed has not been identified. According to the release, detectives learned the man lived next door with his girlfriend, who had an active no-contact order against him. The couple had an altercation Thursday night, and the girlfriend went to a neighbor’s home to stay the night.
Deputies said the man was trying to break in just before the shooting.
Department spokesperson Sgt. Darren Moss said a window of the home was broken and a door was damaged. Four people were inside when the shooting occurred. Moss couldn’t confirm whether the man killed was armed, but he said none of the witnesses reported seeing him with a firearm during the incident.
This story was originally published July 29, 2022 at 8:47 AM.
