At least four people have been killed by a knife-wielding man in a mass stabbing in a quaint, waterfront suburb in Washington state.
The 32-year-old suspect was seen stabbing people in the street in Gig Harbor, located on Puget Sound, on Tuesday morning.
Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a residence on 87th Avenue Court NW just before 9am local time for reports of a protection order violation, KING 5 reported.
While en route, witnesses called 911 to report that a man was stabbing people outside the home.
Three adults were killed at the scene. Paramedics took a fourth victim to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where they later died from their injuries.
Witnesses said at least one of the victims was stabbed in the middle of the street in front of a group of onlookers.
A sheriff’s deputy reportedly shot and killed the attacker at the scene around 9.30am.
The investigation has since been taken over by the Pierce County Force Investigation Team, which described the scene as ‘very active.’
At least four people have been killed by a knife-wielding man in a mass stabbing in the 14000 block of 87th Avenue Court NW in Gig Harbor, WA
Forensics investigators and sheriff’s deputies respond to what has been described as a ‘very active’ scene
Three adults were killed at the scene. Paramedics took a fourth victim to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where they later died from their injuries
Dispatchers received a 911 call around 8:45am Tuesday claiming that the suspect was violating a no contact order.
Police have since confirmed the order was not yet valid because it had not been served to the suspect.
Officer were given a copy of the order to serve the suspect, but by the time they arrived at the scene, he had already carried out his stabbing spree.
He was shot dead by a solo sheriff’s deputy around 9.33am.
Gig Harbor is a small maritime city located near Pugent Sound, about 15 miles northwest of Tacoma.
The picturesque city is home to just 12,000 people, according to 2020 census data.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
