Authorities say single BB gun shot killed Tacoma man

TACOMA, Wash. -- Authorities say a single BB gun shot to the heart killed a homeless man found dead in Tacoma this week.

The News Tribune reports that police didn't initially realize the case was a homicide, but an autopsy revealed the cause of death for 32-year-old Dustin Kopp.

Kopp was found dead Tuesday morning on a steep embankment. He lived beneath the state Route 16 overpass near South Cedar Street, where the man accused of shooting him, Sergio Suarez, also lived.

Suarez was charged Thursday with second-degree murder and second-degree assault. Authorities said in charging papers that Kopp had accused Suarez of stealing another person's property. They also say that when questioned Suarez confessed.

Suarez was due to appear in court Friday.