A quiet Sunday near Tacoma Mall turned tense when multiple reports of gunfire sent officers racing to the 4500 block of South Steele Street. Tacoma police said they were investigating the incident and, as of Sunday night, had found no shooting victims and had not been notified of anyone with gunshot wounds at local hospitals. Investigators were still trying to pin down exactly where the shots came from as they processed the scene.
Initial reporting
According to The News Tribune, multiple callers reported hearing shots in the area Sunday evening, prompting officers to fan out around the mall and search for evidence. Police told the paper they checked nearby hospitals and, so far, no one had come in seeking treatment for gunshot wounds.
"We're not sure if the shots came from a passing vehicle or originated from across the street," Officer Shelbie Boyd told the paper as investigators moved through the mall parking lot, canvassing for witnesses and clues.
Police response and investigation
The Tacoma Police Department is directing residents to its news and media page for official updates and ways to share tips or video with detectives: Tacoma Police Department. The city site lists non-emergency phone numbers along with instructions for submitting surveillance footage or other potential evidence.
Detectives were conducting interviews and reviewing nearby cameras as they followed up on leads, trying to determine what sparked the reported gunfire near one of the city’s busiest shopping hubs.
Past incidents at the mall
The Tacoma Mall area has been the scene of earlier gunfire incidents in recent years, including a March 2023 parking-lot shooting that led to an arrest and subsequent court proceedings, according to KIRO 7. Episodes like that have at times triggered temporary lockdowns and increased patrols, keeping safety a front-of-mind concern for shoppers, employees, and nearby businesses.
Community leaders have responded by calling for a blend of enforcement and prevention strategies to address violence around the shopping center and to reassure residents who rely on the mall as a major retail and jobs hub.
How to help
Police are asking anyone who was in the area Sunday or who has video of the incident to contact Tacoma Police through the department’s news and media page or by using the non-emergency number listed there. For immediate threats or emergencies, authorities stress that callers should use 911.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can also reach out through local Crime Stoppers channels. This story will be updated as investigators release new information on what unfolded outside the mall.
