Tacoma man involved in Seattle mass shooting pleads guilty to gun, drug charges

Marquise Tolbert, a Tacoma man with a troubling criminal history, has pleaded guilty to serious charges involving gun possession and drug trafficking. Previously acquitted of murder in a 2020 mass shooting in downtown Seattle, where one woman was killed and seven others injured, Tolbert's legal issues continue to mount. His arrest in June 2023 followed a coordinated investigation by federal agencies, including the FBI and DEA, which was sparked by intercepted communications about his involvement in a drug trafficking organization. Tolbert discussed purchasing a firearm and was later found in possession of a Ruger 5. 7 pistol, despite being legally prohibited from owning firearms due to a prior conviction.

Investigators also uncovered evidence of his distribution of controlled substances, primarily oxycodone, being shipped from Arizona to Washington. The ramifications of his actions could result in a combined sentence of up to 35 years; however, prosecutors are advocating for a maximum of seven years. This case highlights ongoing issues surrounding gun violence and drug trafficking in the region. Sentencing is set for June 2025, as the community grapples with the consequences of such criminal activities.