An active-duty soldier from Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) was fatally shot on Saturday in Parkland, Wash., police said.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department said deputies responded to reports of a shooting at the 1600 block of 112th Street S in Parkland just after 6 p.m. At the scene, deputies discovered U.S. Army Sgt. Emmett Leviticus Moore, 22, with a gunshot wound. They administered first aid, but were unable to save him.
“An area check was done for the suspect, but he was not located. Detectives and forensic investigators arrived to check for evidence and talk to witnesses. Both the suspect and the victim were at the residence for a gathering and detectives are trying to determine what led up to the shooting,” the department said.
Neighbor Sandra Kinney said she heard the shooting, according to KIRO 7.
“We were having a barbecue, then we heard like three or four (shots), which we thought were fireworks. Then, all the cops came,” she said.
JBLM said in a statement that Moore was from East Point, Georgia, and was a member of the 1-14 Cavalry Squadron, 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Inf. Div., at the base.
“It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of Sgt. Moore.” Lt. Col. John C. Tisserand, 1-14 CAV Battalion Commander said in a statement, according to KIRO 7. “This is an extremely difficult time for the Warhorse family. Our primary mission now is taking care of the family members of our fallen Soldier. We also respectfully request privacy for Sgt. Moore’s family as they navigate thought this difficult time.”
Another fatal shooting took place at a storage facility in Parkland just hours after Moore was killed, the sheriff’s department said.
Just before 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, deputies “received a call of shots fired with a person down at a storage facility at 10400 Pacific Ave S.”
Deputies responded to the reported gunfire and found “one male down on the ground” as “numerous motorcycles” fled the complex.
“Deputies administered first aid to the injured man and rushed paramedics onto the scene,” the department explained. “The man was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
According to police, there was a “large party” at the location of the shooting, and KIRO 7 reported that neighbors told authorities more than 100 bikers were there throughout the day prior to the shooting.
“Detectives and forensic investigators are out at the scene to assist deputies,” the department continued. “The investigation is ongoing.”
