Late in the evening in south Tacoma, a stretch of South 96th Street turned into a crime scene after gunfire left a 2-year-old child injured and rushed to the hospital. Multiple 911 callers reported shots in the 2300 block, drawing a heavy response from Tacoma police and fire crews. The child was transported in stable condition, and officers later arrested two people tied to the incident.
Police timeline and response
Tacoma police say the first calls about shots fired came in around 9:38 p.m. Firefighters provided immediate medical care at the scene before taking the child to a nearby hospital. According to KING 5, an officer later located a suspect at about 11:43 p.m. near Center Street and South Union Avenue after an hours-long search. Police have not yet released the names of those arrested.
Where it happened
The gunfire erupted along a stretch of South 96th Street that has already seen more than its share of flashing lights and crime tape. In March, a weekend turned violent when separate incidents along the corridor left two people in critical condition, highlighting how quickly things can escalate in that pocket of the city.
Arrests and what comes next
Following the late-night search, officers booked two people into custody. One was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault and the other on suspicion of rendering criminal conspiracy, according to KING 5. Tacoma Police are asking anyone who saw or heard anything to reach out to the department’s media-relations office or send an online tip through the department’s media-relations page.
Legal context
First-degree assault is Washington’s most serious assault charge and is defined under state law at RCW 9A.36.011. Prosecutors will now review the arrests and decide whether to file formal charges. Anyone arrested remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Tacoma police said the child’s injuries were stable, and no additional details were released that night. Officials indicated that more information will be shared as the investigation moves forward.
