Tacoma Store Owner Shot During Robbery, Teen Sentenced for Murder

On June 22, 2023, a 17-year-old Tacoma teen was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of a store owner during a robbery at a corner store on South 56th Street in Tacoma, Washington. The teen, identified as the shooter, was convicted of aggravated murder and robbery.

The incident occurred on June 1, 2023, when the teen entered the store and demanded money. The store owner, who was unarmed, had his hands up in surrender when the teen shot him. The teen then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. The store owner was pronounced dead at the scene.

The teen was apprehended a short distance from the store and was charged with aggravated murder and robbery. The Pierce County Prosecutor's Office sought the maximum sentence, citing the brutality of the crime and the impact on the community. The teen's defense argued for a lesser sentence, citing his age and lack of prior criminal record.