SPANAWAY, WA – At 10:04 a.m. Tuesday Pierce County deputies responded to the 15800 block of 5th Ave. E. in Spanaway for a report of a burglary in progress. When deputies arrived on the scene, they located a broken window and observed a female suspect inside the residence. A deputy asked the suspect to come open the front door, and she responded “ok” but then went around a corner away from deputies. The suspect did not open the door, and instead came back to the window and pointed a rifle at the deputy. The suspect has refused to exit the residence.
Deputies learned that the suspect is a relative of the homeowner and is not allowed at the home. A neighbor reportedly told the homeowner that the suspect broke into the house through a window; the victim then called 911 and told dispatchers that there were firearms inside the home.
“Our SWAT team was on scene along with mental health co-responders, who are trying to negotiate with the suspect to come out of the house,” the department said this morning. “This is an active scene and we have 5th Ave E blocked off. Thompson Elementary and Spanaway Middle School are across the street from the location and have been notified to go into lockdown. We are asking anyone who lives in the immediate area to stay in their home or not to return home until the situation has been resolved.”
Shortly after noon, the suspect was taken into custody.