PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON – Three armed suspects who allegedly entered an apartment intent on committing a crime or crimes were confronted by an occupant, who shot two of them in what he claims was self-defense.
PPD was dispatched to the Riverside Park Apartments complex in the 3100 block of East Main Avenue around 10:50 p.m. on Tuesday. In a Twitter release, police said that “Officers arrived to find a very chaotic scene with two individuals having been shot and multiple reports of individuals and vehicles fleeing the area. The two individuals who had been shot, both of whom were males in their early 20s, were located some distance from each other.”
Investigators believe that three armed men entered the apartment through an unlocked door to “commit a burglary or home invasion robbery.” Once inside the residence, the trio was confronted by an armed 19-year-old occupant who fired multiple rounds at the intruders.
Reminder: Lock your doors.
The two suspects who suffered gunshot wounds were transported to a trauma hospital in serious condition, according to police, with the third suspect who fled the scene still being sought.
Police do not believe the incident is random or that there is a current threat to public safety. The tenant in cooperating with the investigation, and his claim of self-defense will be reviewed. Washington is one of several states that does not have a “castle doctrine”; however, they also do not have a “duty to retreat” requirement before using lethal force. Criminal charges are pending against the intruders.
