SWAT team responds to ex-boyfriend holding ex-girlfriend hostage, both die in Tacoma
Oct 30, 2025, 8:45 AM | Updated: 3:49 pm
A SWAT team vehicle responding to a crime scene in Washington. (Photo: David Ryder, Getty Images)
(Photo: David Ryder, Getty Images)
An ex-boyfriend holding his ex-girlfriend hostage on Oct. 17 led to two fatalities after a response from the Tacoma SWAT team attempted to negotiate with both parties.
At approximately 9:47 p.m., Tacoma Police Department (TPD) officers responded to reports of a domestic dispute in the 700 block of S. 38th Street in Tacoma, TPD announced Monday.
Officers surrounded the location upon arrival and began to negotiate with the individuals as additional resources were dispatched to the scene.
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The TPD SWAT team was called in to assist and negotiated with the male and female for several hours.
At approximately 1 a.m., the SWAT team gained entry to the residence and located an adult male and female with apparent gunshot wounds.
Officers immediately conducted life-saving operations until the Tacoma Fire Department arrived and took over.
Both individuals were transported to local hospitals with life-threatening injuries. Despite life-saving efforts, both the male and female died from their injuries.
The incident is currently being investigated as a homicide-suicide by TPD detectives and crime scene technicians.
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