KIRO 7 Exclusive: Homeowner shocked that man living in his home arrested for Gig Harbor murder
May 21, 2025, 5:36 AM | Updated: 5:36 am
SWAT team arrested a 25-year-old man Tuesday, accused of shooting his father and brother to death in Gig Harbor and then lighting the house on fire. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
SWAT team arrested a 25-year-old man Tuesday, accused of shooting his father and brother to death in Gig Harbor and then lighting the house on fire.
Deputies said the suspect peacefully walked out of a Lakewood home.
KIRO 7’s Samantha Lomibao went to the home where he was arrested to get some answers.
“Somebody come and somebody broke inside my door,” the Lakewood homeowner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said.
He told KIRO 7 he had just gotten home from work when he saw everything in his home shuffled around.
At first, the homeowner thought his house had been broken into.
At that moment, KIRO 7’s crew realized the homeowner had no idea the SWAT team had come to arrest the man living in his guest room for the past few months.
KIRO 7 reporter Samantha Lomibao broke the news to him:
Samantha: ‘Deputies say the 25-year-old shot and killed his father and brother, and set their house on fire and they arrested him here today.’
Homeowner: ‘Oh my god, really? I live with … what is the name – murderer?'”
The homeowner said the 25-year-old was previously living in his car, so he opened up his home to help.
“He broke my feelings, and I told him you can come home if you need it,” he said. “You can support me with something.”
His neighbor couldn’t believe this happened next door.
“He’s a good guy. Of all people, he does not deserve that,” neighbor Nathen Neideigh said. “It’s shocking to know that somebody with a kind heart like that would get taken advantage of.”
The homeowner said he heard about the Gig Harbor tragedy last month, but never thought the suspect would be living in his home.
“I’m surprised about that really,” he added. “I never imagined it. Never, never, never, never.”
Background
On April 8, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation after a 61-year-old and a 31-year-old were found dead inside a newly rented home on 14th Avenue Northwest.
Neighbors reported hearing a loud explosion in that area when the fire was reported.
When deputies arrived, the house was fully engulfed in flames.
The fire was deemed suspicious.
Several weeks after the fire, the medical examiner ruled that deputies were, in fact, dealing with a homicide investigation, stating the two had been shot before the fire was started.
The sheriff’s office said they don’t yet know the motive for the deaths.
No other suspects are outstanding.
The man was booked into the Pierce County Jail on two counts of murder and one count of arson.
