Police make arrest in suspected murder of man found fatally shot on Central Tacoma trail
Tacoma police arrested a man Friday suspected of murder in the death of a 21-year-old man found fatally shot earlier this year on a trail that runs along state Route 16 behind Cheney Stadium.
The Tacoma Police Department announced the arrest Saturday morning and said the suspect was booked into the Pierce County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder in the July 20 homicide of Aidan Schmidt.
Schmidt was found shot in the chest and arm early that morning after officers responded to the Scott Pierson Trail near the 1900 block of South Mullen Street at about 1:30 a.m. for a report that someone had been shot. Police said officers performed life-saving measures until Tacoma Fire Department personnel arrived, but the man succumbed to his injuries.
Police have not said what led up to the shooting.
Investigators found probable cause to arrest a suspect Thursday, according to a news release, and he was located and taken into custody Friday evening with the assistance of a homeless outreach team.
The suspect is a 37-year-old man who has seven prior felony convictions, according to Pierce County jail and court records. None of the prior convictions were for violent offenses.
The News Tribune generally does not name people suspected of crimes until they have been formally charged.
This story was originally published October 5, 2024 at 11:45 AM.
