Victim identified in Tacoma Hilltop fatal shooting

Family wants answers after WA teen gunned down in elevator

Family has identified 18-year-old Messiah Washington as the victim in a fatal shooting in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood.

TACOMA, Wash. - Investigators with the Tacoma Police Department are seeking information from the public after an 18-year-old was shot and killed in the Hilltop neighborhood Saturday night.

The backstory:

Family identified the victim as 18-year-old Messiah Washington. He was a senior at Willie Stewart Academy, and turned 18 just a few weeks before he was fatally shot.

"He was kind, he was considerate. He was going to school," said Messiah's father, Jacque Washington. "He was doing all the things he was supposed to do."

Messiah’s family told FOX 13 he and his dad moved into Housing Hilltop, an affordable housing complex, five months ago.

"He helped me a lot," said Mr. Washington. "He really did take care of me. I was supposed to take care of him but he was taking care of me because I’m in the wheelchair."

Jacque Washington is a double amputee.

"He was a good kid," he said. "They didn’t just hurt him, they hurt our entire family."

Timeline:

According to TPD, around 9 p.m. on Feb. 22, officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of South L Street after multiple calls to 911 reported shots fired in the area.

"He was found inside the elevator," said neighbor Danielle Eberwein. "I heard the gunshots."

Mr. Washington said he also heard the gunshots shots.

"There was a knock on the door," he said, recalling the moments before gunfire rang out. "I looked out the peephole and it was everybody but Messiah out there," he said. "The elevator door opened. They got into the elevator and that’s when I heard the five shots."

When the group left the hallways, Mr. Washington said he opened his apartment door.

"I pushed the elevator button. When it came down, Messiah was on the ground, on the elevator floor," he said.

Tacoma Police arrived and attempted life-saving measures, but Messiah did not survive.

Messiah’s family believes he may have known the person who pulled the trigger.

"I need your help. I need everybody’s help," said Mr. Washington. "If you know anything. If you know anything, tell it!"

Washington's family has since started an online fundraiser.

What's next:

No arrests have been made, but detectives and crime scene technicians are reviewing surveillance video, working to get possible descriptions of the suspect or suspects.

"I’m just in disbelief that this could happen inside our building," said Eberwein.

Family remembers 18-year-old killed in Tacoma shooting

The family of a Tacoma teen who was dragged out of his apartment and murdered are seeking justice.

The City of Tacoma has since hosted a community meeting, and released the following statement in response to the shooting:

"The City of Tacoma remains committed to the safety and well-being of Tacoma’s community members. The City will continue to work tirelessly, in partnership with law enforcement, community organizations, and community members, toward this goal.

"The incident at the Tacoma Housing Authority building remains under investigation. Our Community Liaison Officers are reaching out to them to see how they can best assist.

"For comment from the Tacoma Housing Authority, you will of course want to reach out to them directly.

"In case it is helpful, here is some additional background:

"The City contracts with JCW & Associates (aka Tacoma Cease Fire) to implement its Community Trauma Response Team (CTRT) program. The CTRT, which hosted this particular event:

Responds after traumatic incidents
Assists the community in healing
Provides a safe place for the community to express their opinions and concerns
Supports and gives referrals designed to offer immediate, compassionate, and practical resources for community members impacted by trauma and serious loss.
Focuses on the community’s emotional needs while the Tacoma Police Department (TPD) and the Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) focus on incident response"

18-year-old shot, killed in elevator in Tacoma

Investigators with the Tacoma Police Department are seeking information from the public after an 18-year-old was shot and killed in the Hilltop neighborhood Saturday night.

The Source: Information for this report comes from the Tacoma Police Department and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.