Five people, including the suspected attacker, died after multiple people were stabbed outside a home near Gig Harbor, Washington, on Feb. 24. A 32-year-old suspect was shot and killed by a deputy who arrived at the scene. Deputies had been en route to serve a no-contact protection order that had not yet been served. Three victims were found at the scene and a fourth later died after being transported by ambulance; names have not been released.
Five Dead After Stabbing Outside Gig Harbor Home; Suspect Shot By Deputy
man fatally stabbed multiple people Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Gig Harbor, WashCredit: AP Photo/John Froschauer
Five people, including the suspected attacker, died after a multiple-victim stabbing outside a residence on the Key Peninsula near Gig Harbor, Washington, authorities said.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a 32-year-old man was shot and killed by a deputy who responded to the scene. Deputies had been en route to serve a no-contact protection order when witnesses reported the stabbings.
What Officials Say
According to the sheriff’s office, the initial call came in at approximately 8:41 a.m. local time notifying dispatch of a potential violation of a no-contact order. Investigators later determined the order had not yet been served and therefore was not legally in effect at the time.
While deputies were en route with a copy of the order, multiple witnesses reported at about 9:30 a.m. that a man was stabbing people outside the home. A lone deputy arrived and shots were reported at 9:33 a.m. Authorities found the 32-year-old suspect and three victims dead at the scene; a fourth victim was taken by ambulance and later died.
"Five lives were lost today on the Key Peninsula in an act of heartbreaking violence, including the suspect, who was shot by a responding deputy," Pierce County Executive Ryan N. Mello said in a statement. He thanked the Gig Harbor Police Department and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office for their response and offered condolences to the victims’ families and neighbors.
Officer Shelbie Boyd, public information officer for the Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT), told local media that the protection order meant someone involved was known to law enforcement but investigators were still determining the relationships between the suspect and the victims.
Local reporting cited court documents indicating the order had been sought to protect a mother who alleged her son had been abusing and threatening her, though investigators are still piecing together the full circumstances.
Investigation Underway
The Pierce County Force Investigation Team is leading the probe. Officials have not released the names of the deceased. Authorities ask anyone with information or video of the incident to contact investigators as they work to establish a full timeline and motive.
This remains a developing story; updates will be provided as officials release more information.
Help us improve.
