CRIME & SAFETY

The recent shooting at an Auburn gas station has left a family in mourning and a community in search of answers. On November 17, Myron Moss, 64, became the latest victim of what appears to be a road rage incident turned fatal. An SUV nearly collided with Moss while he was attending to his car, leading to an altercation and the subsequent gunfire that claimed his life. The shooter, a young man in his 20s asserting self-defense, was released after questioning by the King County Sheriff's Office, leaving the Moss family pleading for witnesses to shed light on the event and to bring clarity to their quest for justice.

This week in Sumner, Washington, two incidents occurred that raised concerns for public safety. In the first incident, an 81-year-old woman went missing and was successfully located with the help of volunteers, search dogs, and an AirTag. The second incident involved a woman being robbed at gunpoint outside a Winco store, with the assailants also shooting at individuals who tried to assist her.

PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. - The Washington State Patrol (WSP) says they have located a man who was previously reported missing in Pierce County. According to the WSP, 39-year-old Michael Harris was reported missing at 11 a.m. on Dec. 1. He was last seen leaving his home in a red truck near the South Hill Mall in Puyallup. He did not return.

Recent events in Pierce County, Washington, have brought public safety concerns to the community's doorstep, with a series of incidents underscoring the tension between law enforcement and racial equity. The week was marked by a deputy-involved shooting of a man wanted for a violent felony, a controversial debate over potential racial bias in the sentencing of Joshua Ellis, and a series of violent crimes, including carjackings and shootings, which have left residents seeking answers and action to ensure safety and justice.

• An Auburn woman named Judy Coluccio was killed in a two-vehicle collision in Grant County. • The crash occurred at the intersection of State Routes 26 and 243. • Coluccio's car crossed the centerline and was struck by an eastbound semi-truck.

Tacoma police say they arrested a man for murdering a woman in a “family disturbance” on Sunday.

On Tuesday, shortly after 1:30 p.m., Puyallup police said a man crashed his car into the restaurant, which caused a large fryer full of oil to fall on the employee.

Former Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Lindquist joins KING 5 Weekend Mornings to discuss the trial and react to some testimony so far.

James Salanoa Jr., a 22-year-old man with a history of criminal activities, faced a tragic demise on November 28, 2022, in an encounter with Pierce County Sheriff's deputies near South Hill Mall in Puyallup. The events leading up to his death began on November 18, when he allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted a woman at gunpoint outside Tacoma Mall. The Tacoma Police Department initiated a manhunt and issued an arrest warrant for Salanoa, who had prior charges including armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm.

An officer from Cincinnati helped save a person’s life while he was out on a date in October.

In Tacoma, Washington, schools are on high alert as a teenage gang called the 'Kia Boyz' terrorizes the community with stolen vehicles and dangerous driving. Known for their high-speed antics and instances of weapon brandishing, these adolescents have caused multiple lockdowns at Hilltop Heritage Middle School. Their activities are not confined to one school, as the nearby Stadium High School has also faced similar disruptions.

In a recent incident near South Hill Mall in Puyallup, Washington, James Salanoa Jr., a 22-year-old man wanted by Tacoma police for allegations of kidnapping and rape at gunpoint, was fatally shot by Pierce County deputies. The confrontation occurred on November 28, following a vehicle pursuit that ended when Salanoa, reportedly armed, was stopped using spike strips and exited his SUV with a weapon. The Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT) has initiated a thorough review of the shooting, which has sparked concerns within the community over the violent encounter in a typically safe area.

Tacoma became the latest stage for the troubling theater of youth gun violence on a recent Thursday night. In a chilling episode, a residential home on the 4000 block of North Pearl Street was barraged with 15 to 20 gunshots in a drive-by shooting carried out by teenagers. The attack occurred around 10:38 p.m., shaking the quiet neighborhood. Despite the hail of bullets that riddled the second floor of the occupied home, miraculous fortune prevailed as no injuries were reported. The assailants, identities concealed, fled into the night, leaving the Tacoma Police Department with scant leads and no arrests. The community now stands on edge, yearning for answers and an end to the violence.

The Puget Sound Fire Department responded to a residential fire in the 26600 block of 216 Avenue South East near Ravensdale. The fire was located on the second floor of the building and was extinguished within 40 minutes. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. One resident was taken to a local hospital for treatment, while no firefighters were injured. In a separate incident, Andrew Ralph Baim has been charged with second-degree murder, second-degree arson, and possession of stolen vehicles for allegedly killing a Ravensdale father and husband. Baim has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Two adults and one child were in the home at the time.

Explore the ongoing trial for the death of Manuel Ellis, where three Tacoma police officers face charges. This video provides an in-depth analysis of the case, the strength of both sides, and the impact of the I-940 law on the outcome.

This week in Auburn, Washington, there were four incidents that impacted the safety of the community. These incidents included a shooting near Auburn resulting in one fatality, a fatal shooting of a man in his 20s, shots fired at a retired couple's home, and a fatal gas station shooting possibly linked to road rage. Law enforcement agencies responded to each incident and investigations are ongoing.