INCIDENT DEBRIEF

On November 17, 2023, members of the Pierce County Sheriff's Office surrounded a residence occupied by a male homicide suspect wanted by law enforcement. While the female occupant complied with initial commands, the male suspect refused to cooperate. As the Pierce County SWAT team worked to de-escalate the situation, the suspect opened fire on officers with a rifle from an unknown concealed location. SWAT Command coordinated mutual aid support from the Kitsap County SWAT and Washington State Patrol SWAT teams. Upon arrival, the teams combined resources to influence the suspect and work toward a safe apprehension. The suspect later attempted to flee in a vehicle before barricading himself inside the garage. While managing the ongoing barricade and preparing for a handoff to relief teams, officers were confronted with a new threat when a female individual re-entered the scene, prompting a crisis hostage rescue operation involving a vehicle.