Man who was fatally stabbed after entering another person’s tent in Tacoma identified
A man who was stabbed in a tent encampment in Tacoma on Dec. 27 has been identified, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Robert Grace, 64, died from a stab wound to the chest. His manner of death was listed as a homicide, the medical examiner said in a news release.
Grace was stabbed near the intersection of East Bay and 28th streets, just north of the Emerald Queen Casino. Police noted there is a large homeless population in the area, according to a previous News Tribune story.
Garry Heroshi Smith was arrested on New Year’s Day after investigators reviewed surveillance footage and saw him entering the tent. Moments later, Grace was seen entering Smith’s tent, and he exited about a minute later clutching his chest, the story reported.
Tacoma police officers arrived at about 11:08 p.m. and saw someone trying to perform CPR on Grace, who was lying on his back on the sidewalk. Tacoma Fire Department personnel took Grace to St. Joseph Medical Center where he was declared deceased, the story said.
Smith was arrested last week on Monday when detectives approached his tent and asked him to come outside. He was arrested without incident.
Smith pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree murder at Pierce County Superior Court last week. He is being held at Pierce County Jail on a $1 million bail, court records show.
