Bystander’s belt tourniquet saves 19-year-old shot in Spanaway; shooter still at large
May 15, 2026, 1:00 PM | Updated: 3:05 pm
A 19-year-old man who was shot in the leg this week in the Spanaway area is alive thanks to the quick actions of a bystander and a Pierce County Sheriff’s deputy.
The bystander used his belt as a tourniquet to help stop the bleeding. When the deputy arrived, the two worked together to apply a tourniquet to the victim.
“Essentially, if it hadn’t been for the bystander and the tourniquet that the deputy provided, I can’t say this victim would be alive,” Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputy Carly Cappetto told KIRO Newsradio.
Deputies were called out to the 25400 block of 35th Avenue E in Spanaway around 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday.
Suspect vehicle later found on fire
A red car had pulled up, and someone in that car shot the man before the car sped away.
A short time later, a car matching the description of the suspect vehicle was seen on fire a few miles away at Weiler Road E. and 49th Avenue E. Neighbors put the fire out, Cappetto said.
The suspect or suspects in the Spanaway shooting have not been caught. Authorities have not released any descriptions of them. They have also not revealed a possible motive for the shooting.
The victim was taken to the hospital in serious condition.
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
