Puyallup police arrest suspects in three shootings that occurred in the city last month
Puyallup police said Friday that three recent shootings in the city appear connected and that they have arrested five juvenile suspects.
“The Puyallup Police Department Investigative Services Unit began investigating these shootings immediately,” the agency said in a news release. “It became apparent that there were connections with the cases, and that at least one suspect was involved with two of the shootings. Through investigation, probable cause was developed to arrest multiple suspects.”
Puyallup police spokesperson Capt. Kevin Gill confirmed that the five suspects arrested were boys. He said the agency is not releasing their ages at this time.
The first shooting happened Dec. 12. near the 500 block of 47th Avenue Southeast.
“The shooting was a result of a property transaction turned robbery that was arranged via social media,” the Police Department’s news release said Friday. “As the victim fled the robbery in a vehicle, he was shot at by the suspects.”
No one was injured.
“One bullet struck the victim’s vehicle, one bullet struck an unoccupied vehicle parked in the area, and another bullet struck an uninvolved, occupied vehicle at a stoplight nearby,” the release said.
The next shooting occurred Dec. 22 in downtown Puyallup when police said two teenagers got off a Pierce Transit bus near near Pioneer and Meridian Street and fired at a juvenile who was still on the bus.
No one was injured.
The final shooting occurred Dec. 28 at an apartment building at 701 43rd Ave. SE.
“This was a result of an illegal firearm transaction turned robbery,” the news release said. “The victim of the robbery was shot in the leg and suffered a serious injury. Responding officers provided immediate life-saving care.”
Puyallup police investigators and officers with other local agencies served a warrant Friday at a South Hill apartment.
Police said they arrested four juveniles and booked them into Remann Hall, Pierce County’s youth detention facility, on suspicion of first-degree assault, first-degree robbery, unlawful gun possession and reckless endangerment.
“Shortly after the arrests, a fifth juvenile suspect was located in the South Hill area during a traffic stop, and he was also taken into custody by Metro SWAT,” the news release said.
Officers booked him into Remann Hall on suspicion of first-degree robbery, first-degree assault and unlawful gun possession.
“Multiple firearms were recovered during the service of the search warrants and arrests,” the news release said.
