CRIME BLOTTER

U.S. Marshals seek help finding Tacoma murder suspect tied to 2020 casino shooting

Jun 19, 2025, 12:23 PM | Updated: 12:26 pm

Tacoma murder suspect...

A side by side photo of Elijah Dominick Hylton, a suspect wanted for the 2020 Tacoma murder of Ty Jenkins. (Photos courtesy of Tacoma Police Department)

(Photos courtesy of Tacoma Police Department)

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, and Tacoma Police Department (TPD) are asking the public for assistance in locating a murder suspect.

The suspect has been identified as Elijah Dominick Hylton, 29, who is wanted for the murder of Ty Jenkins five years ago, according to the USMS.

Tacoma murder suspect

A felony warrant had been issued for the arrest of Hylton after a deadly shooting of a rival gang member outside of the Emerald Queen Casino around 10 p.m. in Aug. 2020, according to Casino.org.

“In January of 2023, an arrest warrant was issued for Elijah Hylton for murder in the first degree,” the USMS wrote, according to KOMO News. “It is alleged that in August of 2020, Hylton shot and killed Ty Jenkins on the second-floor parking garage of the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA.”

Jenkins was found shot inside the casino’s parking garage. Puyallup Tribal officers and casino security performed CPR on Jenkins, but he did not survive.

Prosecutors believed Hylton and Jenkins were rival gang members, according to Casino.org, and that it was a revenge shooting.

TPD officers searched Jenkins’ vehicle and discovered a 9mm pistol and a rifle. Further ballistics testing revealed the pistol was used in at least four prior shootings and a homicide.

Tacoma murder accomplice

Nearly three years later, TPD announced an arrest of a 29-year-old man in connection with the murder case, booking him into jail on a first-degree murder charge, according to KOMO News.

Hylton’s brother, David Sekou Sebowa Ward, was believed to be the getaway driver after the murder and is currently awaiting trial.

The USMS urged the public to submit tips and provide additional information related to the case by calling (877) 926-8332 or contacting Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Additionally, Hylton is described as a 5-foot-9-inch or 5-foot-10-inch black man with brown hair and hazel eyes, according to Casino.org. Investigators believe Hylton is still located in the Puget Sound region; however, they haven’t ruled out the possibility of leaving the area.

If seen, authorities have advised calling 911 immediately and maintaining a distance, as he is considered armed and dangerous.

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