Key Peninsula Bloodshed Leaves Five Dead As Deputies Move to Serve Restraining Order to Suspect

Five people died following a stabbing attack in Key Peninsula, Washington, on Tuesday, 24 February. Among the fatalities is the 32-year-old suspect who was shot and killed by law enforcement.

According to a report by the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, a sheriff's deputy arrived at the scene at around 9:30 a.m. after responding to a call reporting a violation of a no-contact order earlier that morning.

Authorities said that as deputies were headed to the suspect's home to deliver a copy of the no-contact order, witnesses had reported a stabbing outside a home near Gig Harbor, Washington, per a Seattle Times report.

'Shots Fired'

Three people were stabbed to death and declared dead on site, while a fourth victim was taken to a nearby hospital but later died, authorities confirmed. The suspect was fatally shot by an officer and was also confirmed dead at the scene.

The report said that 'shots fired' calls came in at 9:33 a.m. Key Peninsula Fire spokesperson Anne Nesbit reported no injuries to the deputies, while the officer who fired at the suspect has been placed on administrative leave. Placing officers on administrative leave is standard procedure when officers employ lethal force.

Pierce County Executive Ryan N. Mello said in a statement, 'Five lives were lost today on the Key Peninsula in an act of heartbreaking violence, including the suspect, who was shot by a responding deputy. My heart is with the families who are facing unimaginable loss, and with every neighbor shaken by this tragedy.'

Authorities confirmed verifying the no-contact order was invalid before arriving on site, as the suspect had not yet been served.

Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT) Public Information Officer Shelbie Boyd said in a statement to KOMO News, 'It was a protection order, so somebody involved in this was known.' Officer Boyd said authorities have yet to determine the relationships of the victims to one another.

Reports of Psychiatric Issues and Substance Dependency

Records from Pierce County court reveal that in May, a woman living at the address was granted a one-year protection order against her son, who reportedly had psychiatric issues and substance dependency. Her 32-year-old son allegedly pushed her in prior instances and threatened her in recent incidents, saying her 'grave has been already dug up,' per Associated Press.

The report, which was written by the woman, said she had endured mental and emotional abuse from her son, who was also performing witchcraft in her home. She wrote, 'I am an elderly disabled woman and he is taking advantage of me and my health.' Records also show that her son had notice of a hearing before the restraining order was issued, but he was a no-show.

A man who lives a few minutes from the street where the incident occurred said he heard the gunshots as he was in his driveway, 'All of a sudden I just heard like a series of gunshots. You could really hear it echoing through the trees.'

He said, 'I immediately knew something was up because I've never heard gunshots out here.' As he headed towards the scene, he recalled not being able to prepare for 'how tragic the news would be.'