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

Roy shooting...

James Lynch

VIDEO: 27-year-old arrested after shooting near Roy, pursuit ends in Yelm field

A 49-year-old man is in stable condition after being shot multiple times near Roy.

1 hour ago

lakewood police...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Armed suspects rob Lakewood jewelry store, smash door to escape

Police are investigating an armed robbery at a Lakewood jewelry store Wednesday afternoon.

2 hours ago

Federal Way teen killed...

James Lynch

Second driver charged in death of Federal Way football player Deejay Tuiasosopo

King County prosecutors have now charged two drivers in a fatal Federal Way crash that killed 16-year-old Deejay Tuiasosopo.

3 hours ago

Columbia City shootout...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘The kids are so desensitized’: Mom picking up daughter caught in Columbia City shootout outside Boys and Girls Club

Lisa Fabatz was walking toward the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club to pick up her daughter when a shooting started.

4 hours ago

Columbia City...

Nia Bliss, KIRO 7 News

Police search for suspects connected to shootout near Boys and Girls Club in Columbia City

Police are looking for multiple suspects involved in a shootout in front of the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club in Columbia City.

5 hours ago

Rainier Valley bus shooting...

MyNorthwest Staff

Two men shot in Rainier Valley after altercation that began on Metro bus

Two men were taken to the hospital after a shooting in Seattle's Rainier Valley neighborhood Wednesday night. Seattle police say they responded to Rainier Avenue South and South Holden Street around 10 p.m.

11 hours ago

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