Dispute over grandfather’s stolen gun ends with one man dead in mall parking lot before Thanksgiving
A dispute over a stolen family heirloom turned deadly in a Federal Way mall parking lot the night before Thanksgiving, leaving one man dead and two brothers facing serious consequences.
A worker’s close call
Trever Jones was wrapping up his work shift near the Commons at Federal Way on Wednesday around 10:17 p.m. when he learned about the tragic incident. He had left the area just minutes before gunfire erupted in the parking lot, making the news even more jarring when it reached him.
The revelation that violence had occurred so close to where he had been working left Jones shaken. His reaction mirrored that of many in the community who struggled to process how a confrontation could escalate so quickly to a fatal outcome.
The confrontation unfolds
According to court records and the initial police investigation, the deadly shooting stemmed from accusations that a 26-year-old Fall City man had stolen a gun belonging to the grandfather of two brothers. The family heirloom’s disappearance set off a chain of events that would end in tragedy.
The two brothers decided to confront their friend about the alleged theft. They tracked him down to the Commons at Federal Way, where a pursuit began in the mall parking lot. What started as an attempt to recover stolen property quickly spiraled into a violent confrontation.
The younger brother, who is 18 years old, later admitted to police that he shot the victim during a struggle. He claimed he fired the weapon because he feared the man might hurt his older brother during the altercation. The shooter’s statement to authorities revealed the panic and fear that consumed those final moments.
Retrieving the gun
The details that emerged from police records painted a disturbing picture of what happened after the shooting. As the victim lay on the ground with fatal gunshot wounds, one of the brothers reached into his pocket to retrieve his keys. The brother then unlocked the victim’s vehicle and recovered what they believed was their grandfather’s stolen gun.
The brothers’ actions in those critical moments after the shooting demonstrated their determination to reclaim the family weapon, even as their friend lay dying nearby. The sequence of events raised questions about priorities and decision-making in the heat of the moment.
Swift police response
An officer who happened to be patrolling the area proved instrumental in the quick apprehension of both brothers. As the siblings attempted to flee the scene, the nearby officer spotted them and gave chase. The proximity of law enforcement meant the brothers were unable to escape and were taken into custody shortly after the shooting.
The rapid response prevented the brothers from leaving the area and ensured evidence was preserved at the scene. The officer’s presence in the vicinity at the time of the incident was fortunate for investigators building their case.
Community reaction
Local residents and shoppers expressed disbelief that such violence could occur in their neighborhood. Alyssa Swimcicki, who was shopping in the area on Friday, shared her surprise at learning about the incident. The timing of the shooting, occurring relatively early in the evening at a busy shopping center, made it especially unsettling for those who frequent the location.
Jones reflected on the tragedy with empathy for all families involved, regardless of the circumstances that led to the confrontation. He acknowledged that any loss of life carries weight and affects multiple families who must now navigate the aftermath.
Legal proceedings begin
The 18-year-old suspect declined to appear at his court hearing, but proceedings moved forward without him. A judge reviewed the evidence presented by prosecutors and determined there was probable cause to hold him in custody for the murder of the Fall City man.
The decision to keep the younger brother detained reflects the severity of the charges he faces. As the case progresses through the legal system, more details about the relationship between the victim and the brothers may emerge. The investigation continues as authorities work to fully understand the events that led to the fatal shooting over a stolen family gun.
Photo credit: KOMONEWS
