Pierce County deputies investigating 3 shootings from New Year’s weekend
Gunfire in Pierce County over the New Year’s holiday weekend wounded at least three people, according to the Sheriff’s Department, and no suspects have been taken into custody.
Two of the three incidents deputies are investigating involved shots fired at occupied apartments in University Place and Parkland. A 16-year-old girl was struck by a bullet when the latter occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Eve. Deputies said her injuries weren’t life threatening. In Tacoma, police are continuing to investigate a Saturday morning shooting that left three people hurt.
Deputies were first called to a bar fight Sunday at Cheers bar, located at 7100 27th St. W in University Place. As deputies were responding at about 1:30 a.m., they learned shots had been fired. According to the Sheriff’s Department’s blog post, the incident started when a man assaulted a woman, and other patrons stepped in to help her. The suspect reportedly dropped a gun, picked it up and pointed it at the bartender.
The suspect then tried to exit through the back door, and deputies said he shot at its lock several times. He then fled through the front doors. No one was struck by gunfire, and the suspect is not in custody.
About an hour later, deputies responded to a shooting at the Hudson Court Apartments in Parkland. Deputies said multiple gunshots were fired into an apartment and several vehicles. Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Sgt. Darren Moss said everyone in the apartment was reportedly sleeping at the time, and a 16-year-old girl was struck.
On New Year’s Day, deputies assisted the Washington State Patrol with a road rage shooting investigation.
Moss said deputies responded to a Rite Aid near 176th Street East and Gem Heights Drive because the victim, an 18-year-old car passenger, was driven there after he was struck by gunfire on state Route 161. Because the shooting occurred on a state highway, the investigation was turned over to the State Patrol.
In University Place, multiple people called 911 at about 7:08 p.m. to report hearing numerous shots fired at apartments in the 5600 block of Hannah Pierce Road West.
Five occupied apartments were struck by gunfire along with several vehicles, deputies said. Moss said a 39-year-old man was found shot with serious injuries. He was transported to a hospital, and deputies said he is expected to live. He appeared to have been targeted, according to the Sheriff’s Department, and deputies said multiple shooters were reportedly seen fleeing in a vehicle.
Anyone with information about these shootings is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department or make a tip through Crime Stoppers Tacoma/Pierce County online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS.
