1 Killed, Another Injured After Shootings In Graham & Spanaway

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — The Pierce County Sheriff's Department is investigating a pair of shootings that happened in quick succession early Sunday morning.

The first took place at around 1:21 a.m. in a bar in the 19300 block of Mountain Hwy E in Spanaway, deputies said.

According to 911 callers, there had been an argument or some kind of fight during a concert, which escalated into a shooting. By the time deputies arrived, the victim had left. He was later found, seriously injured, inside his car along Pacific Ave S, near the intersection with 176th street. The victim, a 38-year-old man, has been taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. No suspect has been identified.

Shortly after the first shooting, at around 2 a.m., deputies were called to a second shooting at the 9800 block of 224th St E in Graham. Like the first, the second shooting also took place inside a bar.

Deputies say they arrived to the scene of the crime just in time to see the suspect escaping on an ATV through a nearby field. They found the 26-year-old victim dead in the road, and began to search the field using a thermal imaging device, eventually finding and arresting the suspect. A K9 team was also called in to help track down the gun used in the shooting.

The suspect, identified only as a 25-year-old man, has been booked into the Pierce County Jail on charges of murder in the first degree.

The shootings do not appear linked, though deputies are continuing to investigate both.