"'Shut this thing down' Neighbors pleaded with 911 hours before Spanaway party shooting"
In Spanaway, Washington, a tragic shooting on March 29, 2025, left two teenagers dead after neighbors made frantic 911 calls about a chaotic house party. The first call was made at 10:43 p. m. , but police did not arrive until after the shooting occurred at 12:24 a. m.
As the party escalated, multiple calls reported fights and increasing danger, yet deputies were diverted to other priority incidents, including a homicide and an armed robbery. The urgency of the situation was evident as neighbors reported seeing partygoers scattering in fear just moments before the gunfire erupted. A 17-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with murder, highlighting the severe consequences of the delayed police response. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office pointed to long-standing staffing issues, noting they have not increased personnel despite rising population demands. The article underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in responding swiftly to emergencies in densely populated areas.
The community's desperate calls for help serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of timely intervention in preventing violence.