TACOMA, Wash. — Two people were killed and three others injured in a shooting at a bar in Tacoma, Washington, early Sunday morning. The incident occurred inside the Alleycat Patio and Lounge at around 1:30 a.m. when a dispute between two individuals turned violent, resulting in gunfire that left multiple victims in its wake.
Law enforcement officers were initially expecting to find four victims but discovered a fifth person injured at the scene. One victim was pronounced dead on-site, while another succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital. The remaining three victims are expected to survive their wounds.
According to Tacoma Police Detective William Muse, the shooting stemmed from a “negative interaction” between two individuals inside the bar. Most of those shot were innocent bystanders, indicating that the intended target may have survived the incident. The suspect, who turned himself in at the Tacoma Police Headquarters on Sunday afternoon, has been arrested for investigation of two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree assault.
The tragic events at Alleycat Patio and Lounge add to an alarming number of homicides in Tacoma, with this incident marking the 27th homicide of the year. Detective Muse attributes the city’s rising violence to the use of force as a means of conflict resolution, which includes cases of road rage and fights in public places. Local authorities urge individuals to make better choices and seek non-violent ways to resolve their disputes.
More information regarding the incident is expected to be revealed during the suspect’s upcoming court appearance on Monday afternoon.