Murder suspect caught after chase, shootout in Puyallup; neighbors describe rampage

PUYALLUP, Wash. -- Police were investigating eight different crime scenes Tuesday in the Puyallup area after a man was found dead, and a suspect reportedly fired at multiple bystanders, officers, and led police on a high-speed chase before crashing into several civilians' cars.

Puyallup police said they received reports of shots fired at 2:33 p.m. Tuesday in the 500 block of 14th street SW. Callers reported seeing a man walking down the street firing shots from a handgun.

According to police, the suspect was prowling a vehicle when he was confronted by the vehicle's owner, a 71-year-old man. The suspect immediately shot the man, police said, and fled southbound. The man was later pronounced dead.

Upon fleeing the original shooting, he fired at a family in the area of 14th Street SW and 6th Avenue SW, but the family wasn't hit. He fired at multiple other people in the area, including teenagers and people waiting on the porch.

Police said at least 12 homes were hit by gunfire during the melee.

Within minutes, police arrived and said the 34-year-old suspect fired at an officer, but the officer was not hit. They said the suspect ran from police while shooting at officers.

Investigators said the suspect went into a home on the 600 block of 13th street SW, stole a SUV and drove it through the garage door.

Police started pursuing the car, with the suspect shooting at them. Another police car was hit by gunfire, but the officer was not hurt.

Officers said the suspect crashed into some bystanders' vehicles near 9th Street Southwest & Fairview Drive next to the Washington State Fairgrounds.

At that point, police said the suspect got out of the car and fired again at officers. One officer fired his weapon at the suspect, and another officer "rammed" the suspect with his vehicle.

The suspect was taken into custody after the car he stole was disabled, and transported to a nearby hospital where he remained under police watch. Police said he had a significant criminal history and was on active supervision. They said they recovered a number of weapons, but are sorting out how they were all involved. No officers were injured.

A community meeting is planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Aylen Junior High School to answer questions and concerns from neighbors following the shooting. Police said the scenes area ll difficult to process.

"There are 8 different crimes scenes we are processing, multiple witnesses and a lot of forensic work that will occur tonight," officers said Tuesday.

Citizens who witnessed the event and not yet spoken to police area asked to call the Puyallup Police Department Tip Line at 253-770-3343.