A 32-year-old man stabbed four people to death outside a home on Washington’s Key Peninsula on Feb. 24 and was then shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy who arrived minutes after 911 calls reported an attack in progress, authorities said.
The violence unfolded as deputies were already heading to the same address to deliver a domestic violence protection order that had not yet been formally served, investigators said. Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene and a fourth died after being taken to a hospital, officials said. Authorities have not released the victims’ identities or explained the relationships among those killed, and an outside team is reviewing the deputy’s use of force.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, deputies first got a call at about 8:40 a.m. Tuesday about a man at a home despite a no contact order. Deputies obtained a copy of the order and learned it was not enforceable yet because it had not been served on the man, the sheriff’s office said. As deputies were heading to the address, more calls came in at about 9:30 a.m. reporting that the man was stabbing people outside. Officer Shelbie Boyd, a spokesperson for the Pierce County Force Investigation Team, said the first deputy reached the scene in roughly three minutes and fired on the suspect. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, Boyd said. Officials have not said how many shots were fired or how long the attack lasted before the deputy arrived.
Investigators said the stabbing happened in a cul de sac in a residential area near Gig Harbor, a waterfront community southwest of Seattle. KOMO News reported the incident occurred in the 14000 block of 87th Avenue Court Northwest and that at least one victim was stabbed in the street in view of neighbors. Authorities have not described the weapon used or said whether the attacker moved between the yard, driveway, and roadway. Officials also have not said whether anyone tried to intervene before law enforcement arrived. The deaths left five people dead in a matter of minutes, and authorities said they expect the medical examiner’s office to complete identifications before releasing names. Investigators have not said whether children were present or whether anyone inside the home called for help.
Court records tied to the address point to a history of fear and conflict inside the household, according to accounts summarized by authorities and news organizations. A woman living at the address sought a one year protection order last spring against her adult son, writing that he struggled with mental health and substance abuse issues, had pushed her, and had made threats that left her afraid in her own home. In her petition, she also described property damage and disturbing behavior that she characterized as occult rituals. The order required the son to stay 1,000 feet away from the woman, her vehicle and the address they had shared. It also barred him from possessing dangerous weapons and directed him to follow an existing mental health treatment plan, including medication. Records show the son had notice of a court hearing before the order was issued but did not appear.
Authorities said they do not yet know why the protection order had not been served before Tuesday morning. In Washington, a protection order generally must be formally delivered to the person named in it before police can enforce it, and service can be completed by law enforcement or a private process server. Delays can occur when the person’s location is unclear or when earlier attempts fail, but officials have not described the specific steps taken in this case. Investigators said they will review communications and records leading up to the morning call, including the report that prompted deputies to respond around 8:40 a.m. Boyd said the case involved people who were known to each other, but she said investigators were still working to understand how each victim was connected to the suspect.
The deputy involved shooting is being investigated by the Pierce County Force Investigation Team, a regional group that handles reviews of shootings by law enforcement. Investigators said they plan to examine dispatch records, 911 calls, witness statements and physical evidence from the scene. They also expect to review any available video, including recordings from deputy cameras if they exist and nearby home security systems. After investigators complete their work, prosecutors typically review the findings to determine whether a shooting followed state law and agency policy. Officials have not identified the deputy or said how long the deputy had been on the job. They also have not said whether deputies had been called to the home in recent months or whether the suspect had other open cases tied to the protection order.
Neighbors described a quiet area of wooded streets and small clusters of homes where major crimes feel far away until they are not. Bonita Curtis, who lives nearby, told local reporters she heard screaming and saw an assault across the street. Chris Cardenas, who lives a short drive away, said he was outside when he heard what sounded like a rapid series of gunshots, followed by sirens that did not stop for a long time. Gavin Carlock, another nearby resident, said the day was a shock for a neighborhood that is usually calm. Several residents said they later watched as deputies blocked the street and investigators moved through the area with cameras and evidence equipment. Authorities said the scene remained active for hours as crews worked through the aftermath.
The medical examiner’s office is expected to determine the causes and manners of death and to notify relatives before releasing the victims’ names. Investigators said they will provide more information after early interviews and identifications are complete and after the initial review of the deputy’s actions is further along.
Author note: Last updated March 2, 2026.