A house party in Tacoma, Washington, turned tragic when gunfire erupted over the weekend, leaving two dead and four injured. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday, March 29, 2025, during a gathering attended by several dozen teenagers.
Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 17800 block of 25th Avenue Court East in unincorporated Tacoma following multiple 911 calls reporting a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers observed approximately 30 to 40 juveniles fleeing the house in panic.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department reported that an altercation inside the residence spilled into the street, leading to gunfire just before deputies arrived. The ensuing chaos resulted in a traffic jam as vehicles struggled to exit the neighborhood.
“Multiple callers reported a fight broke out in the street,” the sheriff’s department said.
Deputies found a 19-year-old male victim lying in the street and attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Five other individuals with gunshot wounds had already made their way to local hospitals. Among them, one succumbed to injuries following emergency surgery. The remaining four victims, aged 16 to 21, sustained serious injuries but are expected to recover.
Authorities charged 17-year-old Isaiah Davion Williams as an adult with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Williams, who also suffered a gunshot wound to the hip, received hospital treatment before being taken into custody.
The situation reportedly began earlier in the evening when neighbors contacted 911 around 10:46 PM on Friday, reporting a loud party with juveniles in the street. Two deputies were initially dispatched but were diverted to other urgent calls.
By 12:09 AM Saturday, additional emergency calls reported juveniles fighting in the street, prompting a more significant police response. At 12:24 AM, shots were fired, and deputies arrived within 30 seconds to find the aftermath.
Law enforcement secured the area and initiated an investigation, revealing extensive damage from gunfire. Deputies recovered two handguns and over 20 shell casings from the street. Nearby homes and vehicles were also struck, though no additional victims were reported.
Residents have voiced concerns that the incident might have been avoided if authorities had managed to shut down the party earlier.
“Our deputy-to-population ratio is one of the lowest in the nation, making it difficult to respond to all calls promptly,” a department spokesperson explained.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged their staffing levels have struggled to keep pace with the county’s growing population.
Detectives and forensic teams continue to investigate the incident, which local officials confirmed is the largest mass shooting in the county’s recent history. The incident has brought attention to the ongoing issue of youth violence in the region.
Williams remains the sole individual charged in connection with the shooting, though investigators noted that weapons were recovered from at least two victims, indicating a possible exchange of gunfire.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department continues to analyze evidence collected at the scene, including surveillance footage from nearby homes, which potentially captured parts of the incident.
During a court appearance on Monday, Williams pleaded not guilty. His bail was set at $2 million. His defense attorney expressed concerns about his client’s ability to receive a fair trial, citing errors in how investigators initially identified him in legal documents.
A 17-year-old girl hosted the party, which was reportedly supervised by her mother, who was home during the event but did not witness the shooting.
