CRIME BLOTTER

Shots fired at Tacoma Walmart as officer wrestles shoplifting suspect to ground, shooter remains on the loose

Aug 5, 2026, 6:01 AM

tacoma walmart shots fired police shoplifting...

The Tacoma Police Department is searching for a driver who fired gunshots during a chaotic arrest at a local Walmart Tuesday night.

A fully uniformed officer was alerted to a teenage shoplifting suspect while working an off-duty security detail. When the officer approached the suspect and tried to stop him, the teenager resisted, leading to the two wrestling on the ground in the Walmart parking lot.

Suddenly, during the scuffle, a car drove past the struggle and fired four rounds into the air before escaping.

“While trying to take the juvenile into custody, a vehicle in the parking lot passed by the officer, shot four rounds into the air, then fled the parking lot,” the Tacoma Police Department told KIRO 7. “It is unknown if the suspect and vehicle are associated, but the vehicle and the occupants are still outstanding.”

The officer safely detained the teenager and booked him into Remann Hall Detention Center. However, the shooter is still on the run.

Walmart closed the store early so a massive team of detectives could search the area.

This is a developing story, check back for updates

Follow Frank Sumrall on X. Send news tips here.

Crime Blotter

kitsap felon gun drugs...

Jason Sutich

Kitsap deputies find gun, drugs after felon found semi-unconscious in parked car

A 32-year-old Port Orchard man was arrested on Tuesday after he was found partially unconscious inside a parked car during a welfare check.

1 hour ago

spokane wildfires arson...

Jake Chapman, KIRO 7 News

KIRO 7 interview: Witness recounts seeing Spokane arson suspect minutes before wildfires spark

A 37-year-old man faces first-degree arson charges and is being held on a $1 million bond for allegedly starting a wildfire that destroyed hundreds of homes near Spokane.

3 hours ago

tacoma walmart shots fired police shoplifting...

Frank Sumrall

Shots fired at Tacoma Walmart as officer wrestles shoplifting suspect to ground, shooter remains on the loose

The Tacoma Police Department is searching for a driver who fired gunshots during a chaotic arrest at a local Walmart Tuesday night.

5 hours ago

drug ring pnw leader...

Jason Sutich

‘He didn’t stop’: 25-year-old drug ring leader gets 10+ years despite repeated seizures across PNW

A leader of a drug trafficking ring was sentenced to 130 months in prison after he was persistent in bringing large amounts of drugs to Washington.

19 hours ago

Clark County bald eagle shot...

Jason Sutich

Clark County man charged with shooting, killing bald eagle with shotgun

A 66-year-old Brush Prairie, Clark County resident was charged Tuesday with violating federal law by allegedly shooting and killing a bald eagle with a shotgun.

20 hours ago

Crews working the front lines of a wildfire in eastern Washington. (Photo: WA. Dept. of Natural Res...

KIRO Newsradio staff

Arson suspect in Old Trails Fire held on $1M bail as Spokane wildfires rage

The person arrested for alleged arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, linked to the Spokane Area Complex Fires, has been kept on his $1 million bail.

20 hours ago

Shots fired at Tacoma Walmart as officer wrestles shoplifting suspect to ground, shooter remains on the loose