Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested In Lakewood: Police

LAKEWOOD, WA - Lakewood police on Monday arrested an 18-year-old attempted murder suspect just more than one week after a near-fatal shooting at a Texaco gas station, according to LPD spokesman Lt. Chris Lawler.

Humberto Martinez-Avila was booked into Pierce County Jail just after 12 p.m. Tuesday. He faces attempted murder, assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, and felony drive-by shooting.

Lawler said police had been looking for Martinez-Avila since Feb. 2, following the shooting incident at the Texaco located at 12706 Bridgeport Way SW in Lakewood.

Martinez-Avila was reportedly having a conversation with the 46-year-old victim in the gas station parking lot prior to the shooting around 10 p.m. Lawler said the men were discussing gang affiliations before Martinez-Avila drew a gun and fired seven rounds into the unsuspecting victim.

The shooting victim survived the incident but was unable to identify the person who shot him.

Detectives eventually learned the suspect was Martinez-Avila and released a bulletin to other local law enforcement to keep an eye out for him.

On Monday, a Lakewood detective accompanied by deputies from the Pierce County Sheriff's Office located the car that was used in the shooting at a trailer in Parkland along the 1000-block of 137th Street South.

While planning their approach, Lakewood officers and PCSO deputies spotted Martinez-Avila get into the car and attempt to drive away before getting stuck and bailing on foot.

The officers and deputies were then joined by a K9 team who tracked Martinez-Avila and successfully apprehended him — albeit with some resistance.

Martinez-Avila was taken to hospital for treatment of dog bites before he was taken to Pierce County Jail Tuesday afternoon.

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