A deadly incident occurred in Tacoma, Washington, when a house party attended by numerous teenagers ended in gunfire over the weekend, resulting in two fatalities and four other individuals being seriously injured. The shooting took place shortly after midnight on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies were first called to the 17800 block of 25th Avenue Court East, located in unincorporated Tacoma, following numerous 911 calls about a disturbance. Upon arrival, law enforcement observed between 30 and 40 juveniles fleeing the house, screaming.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department reported that a confrontation that began inside the residence had moved out onto the street. Shots were fired just before deputies reached the scene, as people and vehicles scrambled to escape, leading to a traffic jam as vehicles got stuck while trying to exit the neighborhood.
“Multiple callers reported a fight broke out in the street,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement.
Deputies found a 19-year-old male victim lying in the street and attempted life-saving measures, but he was declared dead at the scene.
Five other individuals with gunshot wounds had already made their way to local hospitals. One of these individuals died after undergoing emergency surgery. The remaining four victims, aged between 16 and 21, were hospitalized with severe injuries but are expected to recover.
Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Davion Williams has been charged as an adult with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Williams, who also sustained a gunshot wound to the hip, was treated at a hospital before being taken into custody.
The incident reportedly started earlier in the evening when neighbors called 911 at approximately 10:46 PM on Friday to report a noisy party with juveniles in the street. Two deputies were initially dispatched but were diverted to other high-priority calls.
By 12:09 AM Saturday, more emergency calls were made regarding juveniles fighting in the street, prompting multiple deputies to respond. At 12:24 AM, reports of shots fired were received, and deputies arrived within 30 seconds to find the chaotic aftermath.
Law enforcement secured the scene and initiated an investigation, uncovering significant damage from the gunfire. Deputies recovered two handguns and discovered over 20 shell casings scattered throughout the street. Nearby homes and vehicles were also struck by bullets, though no additional victims were identified.
Local residents have expressed concerns that the tragedy might have been averted if authorities had managed to shut down the party earlier in the evening.
“Our deputy-to-population ratio is one of the lowest in the nation, making it difficult to respond to all calls promptly,” a department spokesperson explained.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged that their staffing levels have struggled to keep up with the county’s growing population.
Detectives and forensic teams are continuing their investigation, which local officials confirmed to be the largest mass shooting in the county’s recent memory. This incident has brought to light ongoing concerns about youth-related shootings in the area.
Williams remains the sole individual charged in connection with the shooting, though investigators noted that weapons were found on at least two of the victims, indicating a possible exchange of gunfire.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department continues to process evidence from the scene, including surveillance footage from nearby homes that may have captured parts of the incident.
During a court appearance on Monday, Williams pleaded not guilty, and his bail was set at $2 million. His defense attorney raised concerns about whether his client could receive a fair trial, citing errors in how investigators initially identified him in legal documents.
The house party was hosted by a 17-year-old girl and reportedly chaperoned by her mother, who was present during the event but did not witness the shooting.
