Tumwater Police: Robbery a possible motive in gunfight at home that wounds 4



TUMWATER, Wash. – It’s the first quadruple shooting in the city of Tumwater, according to police.

Four people were rushed to area hospitals after a shooting inside a home in the 200 block of Gerth Street SW in Tumwater early Wednesday morning.

Police said three men broke into a home around 2 a.m.

Investigators said five people were inside the house and that the suspects then demanded money from a safe before gunfire erupted.

One neighbor said she barricaded herself behind a dresser while the shots were being fired.

“I heard at least two, maybe three, and they were in quick succession,” said a woman who declined to be identified.

By the time officers arrived, they heard more gunfire and saw people running out of the front door, according to investigators.

Police said one of the suspects shot an 18-year-old man who lives in the home, then another resident shot at least two of the suspects. A Thurston County SWAT unit went into the house and found a third suspect, who also had a gunshot wound.

Police also found nearly half a dozen guns inside the home.

Some neighbors told Q13 News they worry drugs might be being sold out of the house because of the constant flow of traffic during all hours of the day and night.

Investigators said all three suspects are in police custody and recovering from gunshot wounds at several different hospitals. The wounded victim is hospitalized, too.