Armed robbery suspect shot and killed by Pierce County deputies

An armed robbery suspect was shot and killed by Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies after holding up a Spanaway Walmart at gunpoint Monday morning.

Gary Sanders with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department said shortly before 2 a.m. Monday, police were called to the 24-hour Walmart store on Mountain Highway East for a report of an armed robbery where a man robbed employees of cash at gunpoint and was still inside the store.

When a deputy arrived at the front of the store and began to look for the suspect, the suspect ran at him and put his hand into his pocket, according to Sanders. A serious of gunshots were fired by the deputy and the suspect ran west.

A second deputy arrived, and another round of shots were fired at the suspect as he continued to run west.

The suspect was found dead in a wooded area a short time later. Sanders said the man had a handgun in his hand and cash in his pockets.

No deputies or store employees were hurt.

Sanders said it is not yet known if the suspect fired shots at deputies.