Deputies investigate 2 separate homicides in Parkland
PARKLAND, Wash. - Pierce County deputies are investigating two deadly shootings in just a matter of hours.
Both happened in Parkland with suspects on the loose.
It is not believed they are related.
People who live nearby said they are frustrated by gunfire in their neighborhoods.
They said gunshots have become a daily problem, and a problem that is reaching people right next door.
"I heard two gunshots, like, 'pop, pop'," neighbor Maurice Sejean said.
Gunshots echoed just up the street from his home on Saturday night.
It was enough to draw him outside to see what happened.
"I got kind of scared, you know, something that close to your house," he said.
Pierce County Sheriff's investigators said just after 6 p.m., a 22-year-old man, who was an active duty soldier at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, was shot to death and found in a house in the 1600 block of 112th Street South.
They said the suspect and victim were at the home for a gathering, though it's not clear what led up to the shooting.
Deputies said the suspect took off.
Base officials confirm the man shot to death was a 7th Infantry soldier.
They released this statement to FOX 13 News:
"At this time we can confirm that a 7th Infantry Division soldier was the victim of an alleged homicide Sat., June 18 at an off-base location near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The name of the deceased is being withheld until next of kin notifications are complete. The incident is currently under investigation. For additional information about the investigation, please contact the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office."
Kathy Campbell also lives nearby and said this is hardly the first time she's heard gunfire down the street.
"I hear guns going off every other night, sometimes twice a night. I don't fear for my life really, but I'm more vigilant," Campbell said.
More gun violence rocked Parkland on Saturday night just before 10 p.m.
Investigators found a man down on the ground at a storage facility in the 10400 block of Pacific Avenue South as several motorcycles left the area.
They said there'd been a large party through the day and into the evening before a 911 call came in reporting shots being fired.
That man died, according to deputies.
For people like Sejean and Campbell, just trying to live their lives and stay safe, these violent incidents are making it harder to justify calling Parkland home.
"Sad. Very sad because like I said it was a great community to grow up in when I was -- 30 years ago, 40 years ago -- but not now," Campbell said.
Those we've talked with said they are being a lot more vigilant, even as forensic investigators and detectives work the cases, but they can't help but feel more on guard.
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The Pierce County Sheriff's Office has not released any suspect details in either case.
If you have any information, you're asked to call the sheriff's office at 253-798-7530.