Tacoma teen captured, charged in gas station murder

A Tacoma teen and known gang member was arrested Sunday in connection with the Nov. 18 shooting death of a man outside a convenience store.

James “J.J.” Stimson Jr., 16, pleaded not guilty Monday on charges of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is being held on $2 million bail.

Law enforcement officers caught up with Stimson at a residence in Tacoma after he was featured on “Washington’s Most Wanted.”

Stimson and an accomplice, 16-year-old Marcus Langford, are accused of killing a man outside a South Tacoma Chevron station during a botched robbery. David Watson, 45, was looking for his lost dog when he was shot to death inside his pickup truck.

Langford was arrested on Nov. 28 and subsequently charged for his role in the murder, although prosecutors say Stimson was the trigger man.

“When Stimson pointed the gun at the victim, the victim reportedly laughed and Stimson shot him in the chest,” said Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “The defendant Stimson now claims to police that he shot the victim in self-defense because the victim charged him. But, fortunately for us and unfortunately for the defendant, this crime was caught on video surveillance.”

According to prosecutors, Stimson told detectives he dismantled the murder weapon, a .380 caliber pistol, after the shooting and discarded parts at various locations.

Both Stimson and Langford are members of the “64 Block Crips” street gang, Lindquist said.

Due to the nature of the crime, the defendants will be charged as adults.