Man charged in Tacoma slaying jailed in lieu of $2 million bail
A Tacoma man who fled to California after allegedly firing a fusillade of bullets at a man sitting in a parked car, killing him, pleaded not guilty Friday to first-degree murder.
Commissioner Meagan Foley ordered Robert D. Grott, 29, jailed in lieu of $2 million bail during his arraignment in Pierce County Superior Court.
Julian “Jay” Thomas, 23, died Feb. 1 after being shot 10 times while sitting in a Chevrolet Impala parked outside the Arco gas station at 3601 Center St. in Tacoma.
Police said a man later identified as Grott fired 46 rounds at the car before running away. Prosecutors have not spelled out a motive but wrote in charging documents the two had argued over a missing handgun several months before the shooting.
Grott and his younger brother, Rashaad D. Grott, 22, then drove to California, court records state. Both later surrendered to authorities there and were extradited back to Tacoma, Robert Grott on Thursday.
The younger Grott has been charged with rendering criminal assistance. He’s pleaded not guilty and earlier this month posted $20,000 bond.
Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644, @TNTAdam
This story was originally published February 26, 2016 at 8:33 AM with the headline "Man charged in Tacoma slaying jailed in lieu of $2 million bail."