Five Dead in Washington State Stabbing Attack; Suspect Shot by Deputies

A quiet waterfront community in Washington state was shattered Tuesday morning when a violent stabbing rampage left four people dead and the suspect fatally shot by deputies.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that four adult victims were killed in Purdy, a small community near Gig Harbor. A 32-year-old male suspect was also pronounced dead after being shot by responding deputies.

Authorities have not yet publicly released the identities of the victims or the suspect.

Officials said the incident began shortly after 8:45 a.m., when deputies were called to a home regarding a man allegedly violating a no-contact order.

While deputies were en route, witnesses began reporting that a man was “stabbing people” outside the residence around 9:30 a.m.

According to law enforcement:

• Three victims died at the scene

• A fourth victim was transported to a hospital and later pronounced dead

• Deputies shot the suspect within approximately three minutes of receiving reports of the active attack

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Pierce County Force Investigation Team is leading the inquiry into the use of force and the broader circumstances surrounding the attack.

Purdy is located about an hour southwest of Seattle and roughly 20 minutes northwest of Tacoma. With a population of just a few thousand residents, the tight-knit waterfront area is not accustomed to this level of violence.

Washington state has seen fluctuating crime trends in recent years. According to FBI data, violent crime nationwide rose sharply between 2020 and 2022 before showing signs of stabilization in some regions. Knife attacks, while less common than firearm-related crimes, have drawn increasing concern in several high-profile incidents across the country.

Authorities indicated the suspect had allegedly entered a home in violation of a no-contact order before the stabbing unfolded. Violations of protective or no-contact orders are treated as serious offenses, and such orders are typically issued in cases involving domestic violence or harassment.

It remains unclear what relationship, if any, the suspect had with the victims.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office has not yet released additional details about motive, prior criminal history, or whether the victims were known to the suspect.

Officials are expected to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.

For now, a community is left mourning four lives lost in a sudden and brutal act of violence.

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