1 killed in shooting at Puyallup neighborhood party, deputies investigating

19-year-old shot during a party at Puyallup park

A 19-year-old man was shot and killed at a neighborhood party in Puyallup early Sunday morning.

PUYALLUP, Wash. - A 19-year-old man was shot and killed in a Lipoma Firs neighborhood in Puyallup early Sunday morning.

Pierce County deputies were called at 3:21 a.m. to reports of shots fired near 105th Ln E and 188th St Ct E. Several people called 911 and said they heard multiple shots, then saw a bunch of vehicles speed away from the area.

Deputies arrived but did not find anyone in connection to the shooting.

Sgt. Darren Moss says they got another 911 call from a person who said he was on the phone when his friend was shot. Officers then came across the teen — a 19-year-old man bleeding out on a nearby basketball court.

Medics were called to the scene, but the man was declared dead.

According to a preliminary investigation, there was a large group of people gathering for a party in the neighborhood. At a certain point, an argument broke out and escalated into gunfire. It is not known if anyone else was injured, or how many suspects may have been involved.

Brian Frasier, who lives across the street from the park, was there with his 7-year-old daughter, Isabella, hours before the shooting.

"There were no parties here," Frasier said.

However, they were there between 7 and 9:30 p.m.

"It was a bunch of kids, it was like six little girls and her, and then it was a bunch of teenage boys playing basketball and nothing was violent."

The father said he felt safe having his daughter run around.

"I could barely see here, I wasn't that worried because I knew the atmosphere and the energy was pretty good, pretty positive and then we left," Frasier said.

The next morning he says his daughter wanted to go out and play, when they walked up he says they saw a growing memorial for the young man.

"It was senseless over something stupid," Frasier said. "You never think it'd be in a park that's meant for children; and I have a little daughter I need to watch out for, so I come here thinking 'everything's going to be okay and she can play,' and now, I don't feel that way."

A playground bench was pierced by a bullet, a reminder of the life taken too soon. Loved ones stopped by to pay their respects to the young man.

FOX 13 made several attempts to speak with neighbors who say they're on edge. They're fearful whoever did this will retaliate if they say anything. Several did say they've seen teens drinking and partying at the park late at night and into the early morning. The majority say the teens don't live in the area as they often see them driving away.

Many are on high alert, keeping a close eye on the neighborhood. As for Frasier, he says he's being proactive in carrying his weapon even if he's just a few feet away from home.

I have to be because I was here last night and I would never ever think about this," Frasier said. "I don't carry it for me per se I carry it to protect my child."

Moss now urging those responsible to do the right thing and turn themselves in. He says investigators have several videos showing people and cars speeding off the night of the shooting.

"Help somebody's family who's grieving right now because their son was probably over nothing," Moss said.

An 18-year-old has been arrested in connection to the shooting.

Puyallup Crime and Public Safety