Worker shot at weed shop south of Tacoma was the victim of a hate crime, charges say
A 31-year-old man arrested this week for allegedly shooting a man taking a break from his job at a cannabis shop south of Tacoma is accused of committing a hate crime.
Pierce County prosecutors charged Dallas Clayton Stevens with second-degree attempted murder, hate crime with physical injury, first-degree assault and possessing dangerous weapons for the May 17 shooting at a Zips Cannabis dispensary on Pacific Avenue.
Stevens is white and previously served in the U.S. Army, according to charging papers. The victim is a Black man who was in front of the business when Stevens allegedly pulled up in a black SUV at about 10:48 p.m. Stevens reportedly asked the employee about a strip club and where he could park. The victim pointed out a nearby club and then was shot three times.
Detectives noted “concerning” internet searches in Stevens’ phone after he was arrested Tuesday. Records state searches were made for “list of all school shooters,” “How many school shooters have been colored people,” “sniper range near me,” “human tracking device insertion,” “sound proofing,” “duct tape,” “Obama is a known terrorist,” and multiple searches about a missing teen girl.
Adam Faber, a spokesperson for the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, declined to specify to The News Tribune whether prosecutors believe Stevens shot the victim because of his race. Faber said it appeared to be a targeted attack.
“Detectives uncovered some concerning internet searches. and our office included a hate crime count in his charges,” Faber said. “As the investigation continues to unfold, we anticipate more may be uncovered to support that charge.”
Stevens was assigned an attorney from the Department of Assigned Counsel, who told The News Tribune she would release a statement on his behalf Friday afternoon. A phone call to the attorney late in the afternoon went unanswered.
Stevens pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday afternoon in Pierce County Superior Court. He is being held in custody on $750,000 bail. Records show he has no prior criminal convictions. Prosecutors wrote in charging papers that he has previously been arrested for fourth-degree assault/abusive sexual contact, intimidation and stalking.
In an interview with detectives, Stevens denied committing the shooting, according to the probable cause document. Detectives reportedly noted several discrepancies regarding how long he’d owned the black Cadillac SUV associated with the incident as well as discrepancies about his past patronage of strip clubs and his cell phone search history.
Here’s how charging documents described the shooting:
Sheriff’s Department deputies were dispatched just before 11 p.m. to 10707 Pacific Ave. in Parkland. Deputies were advised that one person had been shot in the stomach and that the suspect was seen driving south on Pacific.
Arriving deputies located the victim and began medical aid, applying chest seals to his stomach and back. The victim was conscious and told a deputy the person who shot him was a “white guy in a black SUV.” He said he didn’t know why he was targeted.
The victim was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center, where he underwent surgery. The man later told detectives that a bullet struck him in the small intestine, and he was having medical complications.
At the scene, deputies found four holes in the front of the business and three .40-caliber shell casings about 20 feet away with Hornady branding.
A surveillance camera from a nearby business captured the shooting. It reportedly showed a black Cadillac Escalade with large black wheels and dark window tint circling and loitering in the parking lot. Another camera showed it pull up to the front of Zips Cannabis and stop in front of the victim.
The driver’s side window rolled down, and after a brief exchange the driver produced a semiautomatic handgun and fired three rounds. Detectives noted that the shooter appeared to be experienced with guns.
The victim provided more details to detectives in early June. He reportedly said he had never seen the shooter before and didn’t have any suspects in mind. He said he didn’t have issues with anyone and had only been employed at the pot shop for three weeks.
Detectives got several tips after the Sheriff’s Department issued a bulletin with photos of the vehicle and suspect, including a tip from a Puyallup Police Department officer who recognized the shooter as Stevens and recognized his Cadillac. The officer reported having previous contacts with him and confirmed Stevens was the registered owner of the vehicle.
Stevens was found by detectives in an area where a witness said the Cadillac was usually parked. Deputies conducted a traffic stop when it began to drive away, and the driver was identified as Stevens. He was allegedly found in possession of a set of brass knuckles.
In a subsequent interview, Stevens said he legally owned two guns. Records state he previously submitted an application for a firearm but was denied. In a search of his Cadillac, detectives found a Springfield XD .40-caliber handgun that was loaded with Hornady rounds.
This story was originally published June 14, 2024 at 1:05 PM.
