Man convicted in Tacoma killing; motive still unclear

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A 34-year-old man has been convicted of murder for the death of a man who was shot while sitting inside his parked vehicle in Tacoma.

The News Tribune reports that Vernon Lewis Curry Jr. was found guilty Thursday of first-degree murder in the September 2014 killing.

Pierce County prosecutors say Curry fired seven shots into Michael Ward Jr.'s car, striking the victim multiple times.

Police had found a ski mask near the scene that had Curry's DNA on it, but Curry argued that tests suggested another person's DNA had also been on the mask.

At trial, Curry also said he had been sleeping at home with his girlfriend during the incident, which she confirmed.

Deputy Prosecutor Neil Horibe says a motive was never determined for the shooting.