Man, woman shot by Pierce County sheriff’s deputy plead not guilty to charges

A man and a woman shot by a Pierce County sheriff’s deputy have pleaded not guilty to charges they assaulted and fled law enforcement in the Roy area.

Sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said their injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Tarrant Joshua Taufetee, 28, and Iwalani Nicoli McCloud, 29, were charged with trying to elude police, and with second- and third-degree assault.

Taufetee also is accused of first-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and McCloud is charged with third-degree driving with a suspended or revoked license.

Court Commissioner Meagan Foley on Wednesday set bail for each at $1 million during their arraignments.

“Once a full and accurate picture of what happened that day emerges, I believe that Ms. McCloud will be completely exonerated,” McCloud’s public defender, Ed DeCosta, said.

Taufetee’s attorney was not available for comment.

Charging papers give this account:

Thurston County sheriff’s deputies tried to stop a car for reckless driving about 12:45 a.m. July 3, leading to a chase into the Roy area on state Route 507.

Pierce County sheriff’s deputies joined the chase, and the driver and passenger of the fleeing car threw bottles, garbage and clothing at the patrol cars. The windshield of one of the deputy’s cars was shattered.

The deputy, Seth Huber, said it appeared the passenger in the car pointed a gun at him as he drove. He used his patrol car to stop the other car, and gave the occupants orders at gunpoint.

At that point McCloud turned the car around and drove at the deputy, who fired. The car traveled on for about a mile, then stopped.

McCloud crawled out of the car and got medical aid for what appeared to be facial fractures from the bullets or bullet fragments.

Taufetee yelled from the passenger seat that he was shot, then got out of the car and fell to the ground. He was given medical aid for a gunshot wound to his chest.

Investigators found a gun on his side of the car.

Taufetee’s prior convictions include first-degree assault and unlawful gun possession. He had an outstanding warrant at the time of his arrest.

This story was originally published July 11, 2015 at 10:05 AM with the headline "Man, woman shot by Pierce County sheriff’s deputy plead not guilty to charges."