Spanaway, Washington – A tragic incident unfolded early Wednesday morning as a 47-year-old woman was fatally shot while driving in Spanaway, causing her to collide head-on with another vehicle. Pierce County deputies now suspect that the shooter was on foot and had fired from the nearby woods, not targeting the victim specifically as she was on her way to work on Spanaway Loop Road.
The crash, reported around 4:30 a.m. near 17400 Spanaway Loop Road South, resulted in moderate damage to both vehicles, indicating that high speeds were not a factor. The male driver of the second vehicle involved escaped unharmed, with law enforcement quickly ruling out his involvement in the shooting.
Details regarding the circumstances of the woman’s death remain unclear, with Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Darren Moss Jr. confirming that the collision did not cause her demise. A lack of witnesses to the shooting has complicated the investigation, as the passenger side window of the victim’s vehicle was shattered, raising concerns about the number of rounds fired.
In response to the incident, a SWAT team combed the area, focusing on a nearby homeless encampment to determine any potential connections to the crime. Given the busy nature of the road during the morning commute, authorities are appealing to the public for any information regarding suspicious activity on Spanaway Loop Road or 17600 St. South that fateful morning.
As investigations continue, law enforcement urges anyone with relevant information to come forward anonymously through Crimestoppers online or by phone. With the case still unfolding, updates on the situation are expected as further details are uncovered.