Medical examiner releases ID of man shot by Pierce County deputies during pursuit
A man who was shot and killed by two Pierce County sheriff’s deputies during a pursuit in Tacoma has been identified, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Lopeti Aiolupotea-Magalei, 40, died from gunshot wounds to the neck and left arm. His manner of death is listed as a homicide, the office said in a news release.
Aiolupotea-Magalei was with a group outside the Smoke and More shop at 808 72nd St. E. when deputies stopped them at 1:16 a.m. One of the people in the group had a felony warrant and was detained, according to a Pierce County Sheriff’s Department post.
Aiolupotea-Magalei reportedly ran from deputies southbound on East McKinley Avenue and then eastbound on the railroad tracks. He was seen armed with a handgun, and two deputies fired shots at him at 1:44 a.m. Aiolupotea-Magalei was pronounced deceased at the scene.
It was reported that Aiolupotea-Magalei was wearing body armor, the post said.
The Pierce County Force Investigation Team is investigating the shooting.
