CRIME BLOTTER

Teen brawl on Pierce Transit bus ends with two arrests, driver and passengers pepper sprayed

Aug 21, 2026, 6:31 AM | Updated: 3:15 pm

teen brawl pierce transit bus...

A Pierce Transit electric bus can be seen in Pierce County. (Photo courtesy of Pierce Transit)

(Photo courtesy of Pierce Transit)

The Puyallup Police Department arrested two 18-year-olds after a brawl broke out between groups of teenagers on a Pierce Transit bus Tuesday night at the South Hill Mall Transit Center.

The fight occurred between two separate groups of teens, who got into an argument after boarding the bus. Among the teens was a 12-year-old.

“Seemed to be two separate groups who did not have, prior to this, any known beef,” Puyallup Police Captain Jeremy Hedrick told KIRO 7. “They ran into each other at the transit center, and then that’s how it went.”

According to the department, one of the teens, an 18-year-old, used pepper spray on the bus. Hedrick said the pepper spray hit multiple people, including the driver. The fight continued outside of the bus at the transit center, where participants punched, kicked, and used skateboards as weapons.

“I mean, then you also have some of the subjects using skateboards as weapons as well,” Hedrick said. “That can obviously be very dangerous if you get hit in the head with a skateboard.”

Despite the sprawling brawl, no one was seriously hurt beyond getting struck with pepper spray. Additionally, a transit worker was spit on.

The 18-year-old, from Tacoma, who deployed the pepper spray was arrested on assault charges. A second 18-year-old teenager was arrested for interfering with the investigation.

“This is not something we regularly see at that transit center,” Hendrik added. “We have a strong police presence up there, as you can see; officers responded very quickly and got on scene quickly, and so that’s not a normal call for us to have up there.”

This is a developing story, check back for updates

Contributing: KIRO 7

Crime Blotter

renton party stabbing bottle...

Jason Sutich

Renton party turns violent after person stabs another with broken bottle

A person in Renton broke up an argument at a party by smashing a bottle and stabbing another person in the leg early Friday morning.

8 hours ago

oregon murder suspect skagit county...

MyNorthwest Staff

Oregon murder suspect arrested in Skagit County after entering a pizza shop while armed

A man wanted for murder in Oregon was found and arrested in Skagit County after he entered a pizza parlor with a firearm.

14 hours ago

teen brawl pierce transit bus...

MyNorthwest Staff

Teen brawl on Pierce Transit bus ends with two arrests, driver and passengers pepper sprayed

Two 18-year-olds were arrested after a brawl broke out between groups of teenagers on a Pierce Transit bus Tuesday night at the South Hill Mall Transit Center.

18 hours ago

fleeing pierce county driver...

James Lynch

VIDEO: Pierce County deputies use airplane to track fleeing driver who tried hiding in backyard pool

A Pierce County pursuit ended with a 37-year-old man being pulled, soaking wet, from a backyard swimming pool in Parkland.

1 day ago

firing seattle officers...

James Lynch

Teen accused of firing on undercover Seattle officers can’t be charged as an adult under WA law, prosecutors say

A teen whom King County prosecutors said was part of a trio that opened fire on undercover officers is now facing a series of felony charges.

1 day ago

pierce county motorcycle crash drunk...

James Lynch

Motorcyclist killed by suspected drunk driver while stopped at red light in Pierce County

A motorcyclist was killed Wednesday afternoon when a suspected drunk driver slammed into the back of his Harley-Davidson at a busy intersection in Pierce County.

1 day ago

Teen brawl on Pierce Transit bus ends with two arrests, driver and passengers pepper sprayed