Investigators track down car tied to murder of Pierce County teen
Police have found the car they believe is linked to the murder of a 17-year-old boy in Parkland last week.
Carly Cappetto, spokesperson with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, told The News Tribune on Thursday the vehicle was found Wednesday evening in the Federal Way area.
“We’ve received an outpouring of support from the community, and we do have suspects of interest and we are, obviously, leaps and bounds closer than we were yesterday,” Cappetto said. “So, we’re all just kind of staying positive over here and hoping that we can have a conclusion to this case.”
She declined to give more information about suspects, as well as the time the car was found or where in Federal Way it was discovered, saying she didn’t want to release too much information during an active investigation.
The car has been seized, Cappetto said, and is going through forensics. They found the car through tips and information from the community.
The News Tribune previously reported on the homicide, which happened on Sunday, May 24. The boy – 17-year-old Braylon Daniel Diaz, a student at Washington High School in Parkland – was walking when a car pulled up and unknown individuals robbed him of his jewelry. Someone then shot him and drove away.
Deputies received the call at 7:13 p.m. and found Diaz’s body in the 10200 block of Sheridan Avenue South, a few blocks west of Pacific Avenue. Officers tried to save Diaz’s life at the scene, but were unsuccessful.
A GoFundMe has been set up to pay for Diaz’s funeral expenses and to support his family during this challenging time. As of Thursday afternoon, it had raised $24,990.
Lance Goodpaster, superintendent of the Franklin Pierce School District, released a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
“[Diaz] was deeply connected to our school community through his involvement in the WHS football and soccer programs,” Goodpaster wrote. “He had previously attended Brookdale Elementary and Keithley Middle, and his ties in this community run deep.”
Goodpaster said the community is beginning to “process this loss” and urged everyone to check in with their friends and family.
“Franklin Pierce Schools is working to support students, staff, and families with the care and compassion needed in this time of grief. Our counseling response team established safe spaces at Washington High School on Tuesday and will continue to keep those spaces available as long as needed,” Goodpaster wrote. “Additional counseling and mental health support resources are available to students and employees across the district throughout the school year. I encourage parents and guardians to contact your student’s school if you have questions about the resources and support services available within our schools and community.”
