A man fatally stabbed four people outside a home on Washington’s Key Peninsula on Tuesday before he was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy, authorities said, in an attack that unfolded as law enforcement moved to serve him with a court order.
Deputies with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office first received a call shortly before 8:50 a.m. regarding a 32-year-old man allegedly violating a no-contact order at a residence in a cul-de-sac northwest of Tacoma. Officers later determined the order had not yet been formally served, rendering it unenforceable at that time, officials said.
As deputies headed to the address to deliver a copy of the order, emergency dispatchers relayed additional information that the man was stabbing people outside the home, the sheriff’s office said.
A single deputy arrived within minutes. Gunfire erupted at approximately 9:33 a.m., and the suspect was shot, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Three stabbing victims were found dead outside the home. A fourth victim was transported to a hospital but later died from injuries, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators have not publicly identified the victims or the suspect.
Officer Shelbie Boyd, spokesperson for the Pierce County Force Investigation Team, told reporters that officials were working to confirm the identities of all involved and notify family members. The Force Investigation Team has assumed control of the inquiry into the deputy-involved shooting, standard procedure in such cases.
The connection between the suspect and the victims was not immediately disclosed.
Court records reviewed by The Associated Press indicate that a woman residing at the address obtained a one-year protection order last May against her 32-year-old son. In her filing, she alleged that he struggled with mental health and substance abuse issues, had previously pushed her and had made threats, including telling her that her “grave has been already dug up.”
She also accused him of verbal and emotional abuse, damaging personal property and harming her cat. The woman described herself as elderly and disabled and expressed fear for her safety.
The court documents show that the son received notice of a hearing on the protection order but did not attend. The order barred him from possessing dangerous weapons, required him to remain 1,000 feet away from his mother and her residence and directed him to comply with a prescribed mental health treatment plan, including medication.
Authorities said it was unclear why the protection order had not been formally served. In Washington state, petitioners may request that law enforcement deliver such orders, or they may hire a private process server. Delays can occur if the subject’s whereabouts are uncertain.
Boyd explained that for a violation of a no-contact order to be enforceable, the individual must have been formally served and informed of the court’s restrictions. Deputies had obtained a copy of the order and were preparing to provide it to the suspect when the violence erupted, she said.
The stabbings took place in a quiet residential area on the Key Peninsula, a largely wooded region west of Tacoma. Residents described the scene as chaotic and deeply unsettling.
Chris Cardenas, who lives a short drive from the address, said he was washing his truck when he heard a rapid succession of gunshots echoing through the trees.
“All of a sudden I just heard like a series of gunshots,” Cardenas said. “You could really hear it echoing.”
Sirens followed and continued for roughly 40 minutes, he said. When he approached the perimeter later, he saw ambulances, numerous patrol vehicles and a mobile forensics unit.
“I immediately knew something was up because I’ve never heard gunshots out here,” he said, adding that the scale of the tragedy stunned him.
The sheriff’s office characterized the scene as “very active” throughout the morning, with investigators canvassing the area and collecting evidence.
Deputies have not detailed what prompted the initial 8:47 a.m. call or identified the caller. Boyd said she was uncertain who first contacted authorities but suggested it was likely someone aware of the existence of the protection order.
The killings add to growing scrutiny nationwide over enforcement of protective orders and the risks posed when individuals with alleged histories of threats or instability are not promptly served with court directives. Legal experts note that while protection orders can offer important safeguards, their effectiveness depends heavily on timely service and compliance.
In this case, investigators are expected to examine whether procedural gaps contributed to the timing of the confrontation. Officials have not indicated whether additional charges would have been pursued had the suspect survived.
As the community processes the violence, residents described the Key Peninsula as a generally quiet area unaccustomed to such incidents.
Authorities urged anyone with additional information to contact the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office as the investigation continues.
The Washington State Patrol and other agencies are assisting in reviewing the deputy’s use of force, a standard independent process intended to ensure transparency.
No further details were immediately released Tuesday afternoon.
AP/NBC
