‘Ran over him on purpose’: Homicide investigation in Pierce County after argument

A murder investigation in Pierce County Saturday afternoon had blocks of a residential neighborhood in Parkland shut down for hours.

Deputies said a man intentionally sped towards and ran over another man, killing him. The incident happened near 106th Street South and Ainsworth.

“I don’t know how anybody could just plow someone over,” said Sara Mertz, who lives nearby.

Sgt. Darren Moss with the sheriff’s department said that initially, first responders thought it was a hit and run.

#BREAKING: Homicide in Parkland right now. 106th St S and Ainsworth Ave S. @PierceSheriff says two men were arguing. Then the suspect got into his vehicle and intentionally hit the victim, killing him.

Suspect then fled the scene in his car. @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/xff0XIeWfF

— Deedee Sun (@DeedeeKIRO7) July 25, 2021

“Then witnesses were telling them, no, no this was intentional – this person ran over him on purpose,” Moss said.

Moss said according to three witnesses, the incident started with an argument between the two men. The men had met up in the neighborhood for some reason but then got into a disagreement.

Investigators say the suspect walked away and got into his car, which was parked on the side of the road.

“And took off and went straight after the victim and hit him, killing him in the roadway here,” Moss said. He said the suspect then fled the scene in his car.

The victim who died is 41 years old.

“It’s scary. Hopefully they’ll find whoever did it,” Mertz said.

Investigators worked on the scene until dark Saturday night, recreating exactly what happened.

People who live in the area say trouble does disturb the neighborhood at times.

“A lot of fighting, speed racing up and down the avenue,” said Cheryl McMahon, another neighbor. But they say nothing had escalated to this level of violence before.

“This is way above and beyond,” Mertz said. “It’s sad,” she said.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department said they know who the suspect is and what vehicle he is driving. They have notified other law enforcement in the area and are working to locate him.

Detectives and deputies on scene of a homicide at 106th St S and Ainsworth Ave S. Witnesses reported two men were arguing and the suspect got into his vehicle and intentionally hit the victim killing him. The suspect then fled the scene. PIO Sgt. Moss is on scene for media. pic.twitter.com/FxCAwTFOf9

— Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff) July 24, 2021