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Five people are dead — including a 32-year-old male suspect — after a stabbing Tuesday (February 24) in Purdy, on Washington's Key Peninsula.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, deputies were initially dispatched around 8:40 a.m. after reports that the 32-year-old man was violating a no-contact order. When deputies checked the order, they discovered it had not yet been served on the suspect, making it invalid. They then headed to the scene to deliver it to him in person.
While deputies were still on their way, the situation turned deadly. Multiple witnesses called in to report that the man had begun stabbing people outside a home. The first deputy arrived at approximately 9:33 a.m. — roughly three minutes after the updated reports came in — and shots were fired.
Four people, including the suspect, were pronounced dead at the scene. A fifth victim was transported to a nearby hospital, where they later died from their injuries.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of any of the victims. Additional details about what led up to the stabbing have also not been made public.
The Pierce County Force Investigation Team is now leading the investigation into the incident, including the deputy's use of force. Officials say the scene remains active as of Tuesday afternoon (February 24).