Drive-by shooting ends with SUV crashing into Pierce County sheriff’s patrol car; 2 arrested
Oct 12, 2026, 2:46 PM | Updated: 2:46 pm
A drive-by shooting on Friday night near Meridian and 136th Street led to a crash involving a Pierce County sheriff’s patrol car and the arrest of two men.
The shooting happened near a Sonic drive-through around 10:20 p.m., according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). Multiple rounds struck two separate vehicles, damaging them but causing no reported injuries to the people inside.
A silver SUV believed to be involved fled south on Meridian, according to Carly Cappetto, a PCSO public information officer. At the intersection of Meridian and 160th Street E, the SUV ran a red light and struck the driver’s side of a sergeant’s patrol vehicle. The sergeant tried to catch up, but the collision disabled his vehicle.
“Two vehicles were struck with multiple rounds of bullets,” Cappetto told KIRO Newsradio.
Search of SUV turns up shell casings, open tequila container
Deputies later received information that the SUV had stopped at the Fred Meyer parking lot near 176th Street E and Meridian. Two men matching the suspects’ descriptions walked out of the store and were taken into custody.
The 22-year-old driver was arrested on charges including drive-by shooting, vehicular assault, hit-and-run, driving under the influence, and attempting to elude a police vehicle, as well as driving with a suspended license and outstanding warrants. The 22-year-old passenger was arrested for drive-by shooting and unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree.
A search of the SUV turned up spent shell casings and an open container of tequila. The next day, a K-9 team located a weapons-mounted light in the 16200 block of Meridian after investigators received information that a gun had been thrown from the SUV.
A community member later found a matching gun slide and called 911. Investigators confirmed the firearm was stolen.
Cappetto said investigators are continuing to work with the victims and are looking into whether additional vehicles or buildings were struck.
“This investigation does remain ongoing,” she said.
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