CRIME BLOTTER

Man charged in death of 14-year-old boy in Tacoma

Dec 8, 2025, 4:28 PM | Updated: 4:45 pm

Boy shot in Tacoma...

A 14-year-old boy was found shot in a car in Tacoma Friday. (Courtesy KIRO-7)

(Courtesy KIRO-7)

A 42-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy last week in Tacoma.

Nicholas Badger Prather, allegedly opened fire after an argument with teenagers in a Kia Sportage near East 64th Street and McKinley Avenue Friday afternoon, according to court documents.

Witnesses told investigators the boy who was killed had been driving erratically, and that a passenger in the vehicle began arguing with Prather.

Court documents alleged the passenger tried to spray Prather with pepper spray before a shot was fired. The teen later died at a hospital.

Prather surrendered to authorities and is being held on $1 million bail.

Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.

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Man charged in death of 14-year-old boy in Tacoma