One killed in Eatonville-area shooting

An apparent drive-by shooter died in an exchange of gunfire with a homeowner in the Eatonville area Feb. 21.

According to the Pierce County Sheriff Department, the shooting occurred at a residence in the 43100 block of Mountain Highway East. Deputies responded after a 9-1-1 caller reported at about 7:20 a.m. that a car occupied by several people pulled into the home’s driveway and at least one of the passengers began firing, with some bullets striking a bedroom area.

The caller said he fired one shot back at the suspects, hitting one of them. The others drove away, leaving the wounded 26-year-old man behind. He died at the scene, deputies reported.

An automobile matching the description of the suspects’ vehicle was stopped in the Frederickson area by deputies  at 192nd Street and Canyon Road. Two males, 31 and 17 years old, were taken into custody. A dog in the car was turned over to Pierce County animal control officers.

According to authorities, the homeowner said his teenage son received a threat overnight from someone who threatened to “shoot up the house.”
The wounded suspect was still alive when deputies arrived at the scene of the shooting. They found a a handgun next to him.
Identities of anyone involved in the shooting, including the man who died, weren’t released. An investigation was continuing.

In freezing weather with temperatures in the 20s, investigators used propane torches to melt snow and ice during their search for bullet casings at the shooting site.