Suspect Arrested For Spanaway Shooting That Killed Innocent Bystander

SPANAWAY, WA — Late last month, a man opened fire on another person outside a Spanaway gas station, but instead of hitting his intended target, he struck and killed an innocent bystander. Now, after several weeks of searching, deputies say they've identified the shooter and have him in custody.

The shooting took place at 8:50 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, outside a gas station at 17400 Pacific Ave S. That night, the shooter fired from his vehicle at another vehicle, but ended up hitting and killing a woman who had been shopping inside the gas station, and who had stepped outside at just the wrong moment.

"The woman was an innocent bystander," said Sgt. Darren Moss, public information officer for the Sheriff's Department. "She went into the store to purchase some items, as she was walking out two people were involved in an altercation, they were in vehicles, one shot at the other one and struck our victim."

After further investigation, and thanks in part to several tips from the community, deputies say they have identified the woman's killer. Surprisingly, deputies say the suspect was already in the Pierce County Jail for an unrelated incident, but now he will also be facing new charges for second degree murder, three counts of assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The victim has since been identified as 39-year-old Angelina Palmer. Palmer's family told The News Tribune she was a loving mother of nine and will be remembered as the highlight of her children's lives. Her family has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for her funeral expenses.

"She was the best mother I could have ever asked for," wrote Kaya Lee, Palmer's daughter. "She ALWAYS put her children first. She would do whatever she could for us."