1 Killed In Late Night Puyallup Shooting, Suspect On The Loose

PUYALLUP, WA — A man was killed in a late night shooting just outside Puyallup.

According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, around 10:20 p.m., their deputies were called to the Kohl's store at 16918 Meridian E, just outside Puyallup City Limits.

When they arrived, the found a man dead from a gunshot wound on the north side of the parking lot. By then, the suspect had fled the scene.

The Sheriff's Department said that several witnesses reported a man in a black shirt and black pants fleeing the area, but that they could not immediately find anyone matching that description and abandoned the search shortly afterwards.

The suspect remains on the loose.

Shortly following the incident, both the Sheriff's Department and Puyallup Police posted on social media claiming that recently-passed police reform legislation had prevented them from pursuing the suspect.

Referencing the newly passed state legislation, which prevents officers from forcefully detaining people based on vague suspicions, the sheriff's department said they were unable to track the suspect with a K9 because they did not have probable cause for a specific individual. However, the law does not stop officers from pursuing fleeing suspects.

Several police chiefs and agencies have shared concerns that the new reforms would interfere with investigations, though others have received the changes more positively. Shortly after the reforms were announced, Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz released a statement saying they would not interfere with SPD's calls to service.

"None of these laws in any way prohibit agencies from responding to calls for service,” wrote Diaz. “The idea that the ability to use force is a prerequisite to engaging in investigative stops or responding to individuals in crisis is absurd.”

Related: What New WA Police Accountability Laws Do And Don't Do