Around 1 a.m. Friday in University Place, a burst of gunfire at an apartment complex left one person badly hurt and an entire building on edge. The victim, hit by a single round, got to a local hospital and was reported in critical but stable condition, with deputies saying they were expected to survive.
According to The News Tribune, Pierce County deputies were called to the 5600 block of Hannah Pierce Road West, where residents and investigators found multiple bullet holes punched through the front door of a unit and shell casings scattered nearby. While detectives and forensic teams processed the scene, a witness later pointed out a person who came back to the complex. Deputies detained that individual and, as The News Tribune reported, recovered a Glock with a so‑called "switch" tucked into the suspect’s waistband.
History at the Address
If the address sounds familiar to local residents, it is not just deja vu. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office blotter notes that the 5600 block of Hannah Pierce Road West has seen its share of trouble, including a 2022 early‑morning shooting where rounds were fired through an apartment door and a person was hospitalized. That entry highlights a pattern of repeated calls for service to the same complex and gives some local context to the latest investigation. You can read that account on the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office blotter.
Why a "Switch" Matters
Those tiny conversion "switches" on pistols are a big deal in federal court. Federal authorities classify them as machine gun parts, and simply possessing one can be enough to trigger a federal case, according to advisories from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The devices can turn a semi‑automatic handgun into a weapon capable of sustained automatic fire, and federal prosecutors have warned that having one can bring significant penalties. For more on how these cases are handled, see an ATF release and a public advisory from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Investigation Ongoing
Detectives with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office are still sorting out exactly what led up to the gunfire. Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s name or any formal charges, The News Tribune reported. The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators so they can follow up.
