Man fatally stabbed in Pierce County near tattoo business has been identified, ME reports
A 63-year-old man who was fatally stabbed near a Fife tattoo shop in late-January has been identified.
Falealo Pulusila died from multiple sharp-force injuries on Jan. 31 near the 1400 block of 54th Avenue East. His manner of death was ruled a homicide, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Ioane Atonio, 31, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, court records show. He is in custody at the Pierce County Jail on a $1 million bail.
Fife officers were dispatched to the area at 10:48 a.m. for reports of a stabbing. Officers were advised that witnesses saw the alleged stabber running behind a nearby store with a knife, according to charging documents.
Pulusila was sitting against a wall with large amounts of blood on his shirt and pants, prosecutors wrote. He was transported and died on route to the hospital.
Witnesses told police they saw Atonio and Pulusila fighting in the area. One witness alleged they saw the stabbing take place with Atonio allegedly standing over Pulusila with a knife, documents show.
When Atonio was arrested, officers allegedly saw a large amount of blood on his face and hands, prosecutors wrote.
This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 12:29 PM.
