Dispute outside Tacoma convenience store leaves one man shot, another arrested
A man accused of shooting another man outside a convenience store in Tacoma on Tuesday claims the victim tried to beat him up, according to court documents.
Prosecutors charged the 32-year-old man with first-degree assault.
A plea of not guilty was entered on the man’s behalf during his arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner Barbara McInvaille set bail at $300,000, according to court records.
Officers were dispatched at 1:39 p.m. to the 9500 block of South Steele Street. A 911 caller reported they heard four gunshots and someone was on the ground. The alleged shooter was wearing a construction vest and standing over the victim, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Court documents show the man also called 911 to say he shot someone with his legal firearm after the victim tried to beat him up.
The victim was speaking when officers arrived. He suffered two gunshots to his lower body, documents show. He was taken to a local hospital. His condition worsened with significant blood loss, and his core temperature was low. His injuries were considered life-threatening, and he underwent surgery.
Officers detained the shooter at the scene and took his pistol from his jacket. The man reiterated the victim attacked him, and he shot him in self-defense, according to court documents.
During his interview with detectives at the Tacoma PD headquarters, the man said he parked his vehicle outside the store, and, when he walked toward it, the victim was blocking his path. The man said he told the victim to, “Get the [explicit] out of the way.” The victim became angry, shouted obscenties at the man and began punching him in the face. The man allegedly said he became dizzy and took out his pistol before firing two or three times at the victim, documents show.
The man said he was not trying to kill the victim but was attempting to stop from being assaulted, documents show. He said he attempted to provide aid on the victim until officers arrived.
Documents show the man told detectives several times he was impaired from alcohol during the shooting. He said he was drinking at work because he heard news earlier in the day that his father died. The man said he was sober for about two years.
The man used several tissues for his bloody nose during the interview, which he said was the result of being punched, according to court documents. Detectives said he was emotional during the interview.
Documents say surveillance video from the shop showed the man and victim throwing punches at each other. Detectives did not see the victim block the man’s path to the store. Detectives also noted the man had several chances to go into the store and avoid the altercation.
The man had an outstanding fugitive warrant from Missouri, according to prosecutors. He has been charged there with unlawful use of a loaded weapon while intoxicated.
The defendant’s convictions include a 2013 case for reckless driving and reckless endangerment in Pierce County. He was also convicted in 2014 through King County District Court for third-degree driving while license suspended, according to court records.
