Pierce County detectives connect car from Puyallup shooting to suspect

Detectives from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office are one step closer to catching the suspects involved in the fatal Puyallup robbery and shooting early Saturday evening.

Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Ed Troyer told the Dori Monson Show that the getaway car has been linked to a definitive suspect, and that the sheriff’s office is in the process of issuing search warrants.

Troyer said that the deadly incident began as normally as an armed robbery can begin. Two armed suspects walked into the Handy Corner Store in the 8800 block of 112th St E. in Puyallup at about 5 p.m. Saturday evening. One suspect asked the clerk for cash, and she handed it over.

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“At that point, the suspect with the weapon could have fled the store,” Troyer said. “Instead, he shot the 79-year-old female clerk in the back. And unfortunately, [despite] best efforts of everybody, she passed away from those injuries.”

Witnesses described the alleged shooter and driver as two black males, about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, in their 20s. They both wore surgical masks and beanie caps. The shooter had on a gray hoodie, black sweatpants, and gray tennis shoes, while the driver had a scruffy beard and wore a blue hoodie, gray sweatpants, and white shoes.

There were no working cameras in the shop; the ones that were there were mainly a deterrent for shoplifters. Luckily, witnesses were able to capture images and video of the getaway car, a gray 1990s Nissan Sentra.

Thanks to the help of the public, law enforcement located the vehicle within 24 hours in Federal Way.

“We really appreciate the information coming in from the public, it’s put us way ahead in this … There are a lot of people who played detective in this, who gave us great information and helped,” Troyer said.

Through communicating with other police departments, the sheriff’s office has connected the vehicle with a suspect and is in the process of serving search warrants.

“We’re not leaving any rock unturned on this one, because somebody that’s cold-hearted enough to go in and shoot someone in the back, after being given the money, is somebody that would probably do this again, or has done it in the past,” Troyer said, adding, “It didn’t need to happen; they could have taken the money and left. It’s just pure, senseless violence at its worst.”

The driver of the Nissan took the alleged shooter out of the area; it is unknown whether the driver knew that a shooting would take place when going to rob the store. Detectives suspect not, and therefore encourage the driver to come forward, turn himself in, and assist with the case.

“We’re thinking he probably didn’t sign up for all that, and we’re trying to get him an opportunity to come in and talk to us about what happened,” Troyer said. “He’s gonna be in trouble for driving a getaway car in a robbery, but he’s gonna be in a lot less trouble than if we have to come find him and hold him accountable for the shooting too.”

The victim, 79-year-old Soon Ja Nam, lived behind the shop with her husband and was a beloved member of the Puyallup community.

“These were really trusting people in a little neighborhood store,” Troyer said.

He attended a vigil for Nam Sunday evening in Puyallup, along with about 500 other mourners — the largest of its kind Troyer has seen in his entire career.

“A lot of kids and people have grown up with them, and their kids grew up with the neighbors there,” he said. “It’s just heartbreaking all the way around.”

In defiance to the criminals, Handy Corner Store is currently open, being run by family members. Supporters are leaving flowers at a memorial there and bringing the shop extra business during this difficult time.

Through donations of $10 and $20 from neighbors, the reward for information leading to the suspects’ arrest has gone from $1,000 to $2,500.

“It just shows how many people want to be vested in this and help,” Troyer said.

If you have any information related to the crime, contact Tacoma Crimestoppers or the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.

“Our detectives are pretty hurt by this too,” Troyer said. “It’s just so senseless, that we’re going to do what we can to get it solved quickly so that it doesn’t happen again.”

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