Five people were found dead Tuesday morning near the Purdy area in Pierce County following reports of a stabbing, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy shot and killed the suspected attacker.
Authorities said a 911 caller reported around 8:47 a.m. that a man had arrived at a home near the 14000 block of 87th Avenue Court Northwest in violation of a no-contact order.
Deputies determined the no-contact order had not yet been formally served. Law enforcement officers were en route to serve the order when multiple witnesses began reporting that a man was stabbing people outside the residence.
A deputy arrived at the scene shortly afterward. According to the Sheriff’s Office, gunshots were reported at approximately 9:33 a.m.
Officials identified the suspect as a 32-year-old man. Deputies said four people, including the suspect, were pronounced dead at the scene.
A fifth victim was transported by Gig Harbor Fire & Rescue to a local hospital but later died from their injuries.
The Pierce County Force Investigation Team has taken over the case. The team is responsible for investigating all police uses of deadly force within Pierce County.
Police scanner traffic indicated that a 911 caller reported seeing a person walking in the area with a knife shortly before 9:30 a.m. Minutes later, dispatchers broadcast reports of shots fired.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims.
