A chaotic scene unfolded in Tacoma, Washington, as a house party attended by dozens of teenagers turned deadly over the weekend. Two people were killed and four others were hospitalized with serious injuries when gunfire erupted shortly after midnight on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies were initially dispatched to the 17800 block of 25th Avenue Court East in unincorporated Tacoma after multiple 911 calls reported a disturbance. When law enforcement arrived, they witnessed between 30 and 40 juveniles running and screaming from the house.

According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, an altercation that began inside the home had spilled out into the street. Just before deputies arrived, shots were fired as people and vehicles fled the scene. The resulting chaos created a traffic jam as vehicles became stuck while trying to leave the neighborhood.

“Multiple callers reported a fight broke out in the street,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement.

Deputies discovered a 19-year-old male victim lying in the street and attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Five other victims with gunshot wounds had already transported themselves to local hospitals. Among them, one person succumbed to his injuries after emergency surgery. The four remaining victims, with ages ranging from 16 to 21, were hospitalized with serious injuries but are expected to recover.

Prosecutors have identified and charged 17-year-old Isaiah Davion Williams as an adult with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Williams, who also suffered a gunshot wound to the hip during the incident, was taken to a hospital for treatment before being taken into custody.

The incident reportedly began earlier in the evening when neighbors called 911 around 10:46 PM on Friday to report a loud party with juveniles wandering in the street. Two deputies were initially dispatched but were diverted to other priority calls.

By 12:09 AM Saturday, additional emergency calls reported juveniles fighting in the street, prompting multiple deputies to respond. At 12:24 AM, callers reported shots fired, and deputies arrived within 30 seconds to find the chaotic aftermath.

Law enforcement secured the scene and began an investigation that revealed extensive damage from the gunfire. Deputies recovered two handguns and found over 20 shell casings scattered throughout the street. Nearby homes and vehicles were also hit by bullets, though no additional victims were located.

Some local residents have expressed concerns that the tragedy could have been prevented if authorities had been able 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 pace with the county’s growing population.

Detectives and forensic teams continue to investigate the incident, which local officials confirmed is the largest mass shooting in the county’s recent memory. The violence has highlighted ongoing concerns about youth shootings in the area.

Williams remains the only person charged in connection with the shooting, though investigators noted that weapons were recovered from at least two of the victims, suggesting the possibility of an exchange of gunfire.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department continues to process evidence collected at the scene, including surveillance video from nearby homes that may have captured portions of the incident.

During a court appearance on Monday, Williams pleaded not guilty. 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 home during the event but did not witness the shooting.