Man Smokes Meth, Shoots Self Accidentally: Sheriff

LAKE TAPPS, WA — One man is facing assault charges after shooting himself in the leg during a bizarre early morning incident in the Lake Tapps area, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.

The unidentified 33-year-old man is currently in hospital receiving treatment for his self-inflicted gunshot wound. Upon his release, the man will likely be taken to Pierce County jail, officials said.

Sheriff's officials on Facebook said deputies were initially dispatched just after 6:30 a.m. April 18 to reported gunfire in the 2800-block of 179th Avenue East of Driftwood Point, in the northwest area of Lake Tapps.

The gunshots were reportedly caused by the 33-year-old man after he was awoke by a woman who lives in the area.

The woman told investigators she was leaving her property, driving down the driveway, when she saw the man's truck parked next to her garage. She said she rolled down her window and verbally confronted the man.

When he awoke, the man reportedly began screaming and immediately fired off several rounds from a handgun. Rounds went through the truck's windshield and window toward the surprised woman, though she was unhurt, officials said.

In the process, however, the man shot himself in the leg, officials said.

The man told investigators he came to Driftwood Point in the night, looking for an acquaintance in the South Hill area. Finding himself lost, the man decided to pull over alongside a garage on 179th Avenue East, where he then smoked methamphetamine and passed out, officials said.

Detectives will continue to investigate and process the scene.

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