Two people have been charged in connection with a Tacoma shooting that wounded a 17-year-old and a 3-year-old, according to court documents filed Monday.
Two people have been charged in connection with a Tacoma shooting that wounded a 17-year-old and a 3-year-old, according to court documents filed Monday.
Pierce County prosecutors charged Alijah Joseph Jolicoeur Windfield and Trevon Joseph Simpson with two counts each of first-degree assault, unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of a stolen firearm. Jolicoeur Windfield also faces a charge of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
The charges stem from a shooting Aug. 13 in the 1700 block of South 37th Street. Tacoma police said officers responded around 5:50 p.m. and found a 17-year-old boy and a 3-year-old boy with gunshot wounds to their left arms. Both had injuries that were not life-threatening and were taken to a hospital for treatment.
According to a probable cause declaration, witnesses told investigators that a white or silver sedan parked near the shooting scene shortly before gunfire erupted. Police later identified the vehicle as a white 1996 Nissan Maxima.
One witness reported seeing two men wearing dark clothing and ski masks get out of the car and walk south on South Alaska Street. The witness later heard rapid gunfire and saw the two masked men return to the vehicle carrying black pistols before driving away, according to court documents.
Another witness told police they saw two men firing black handguns directly toward the residence on South 37th Street. A separate witness reported seeing two armed men running from an alley and firing handguns.
Police said witnesses later saw two young men wearing dark clothing and ski masks running through yards and jumping fences. One witness followed them from a distance while calling 911 and reported seeing one of the men remove and discard a black hooded sweatshirt and ski mask. Officers later detained Jolicoeur Windfield and Simpson in an alley near South 37th and South J streets. Police said independent witnesses identified both men.
The 17-year-old victim told officers at the hospital that he did not know who shot him and said he was outside the residence when he was struck.
Investigators said the Nissan Maxima crashed near South 37th Street and South Ainsworth Avenue. Police said the vehicle had been reported stolen and that officers saw at least one shell casing on its floorboard. The car was seized pending a search warrant.
Police also recovered two stolen handguns near a shed in an alley and found 18 spent 9 mm shell casings. Two occupied residences were struck by gunfire, according to the probable cause declaration.
Investigators allege Jolicoeur Windfield and Simpson arrived in the stolen Nissan, got out and fired handguns at an occupied residence, striking the two victims. Police allege they returned to the car after the shooting and fled before the vehicle became disabled. Investigators said witnesses then saw the two run through yards and place items near the shed where officers recovered the stolen firearms.
Court documents show the first-degree assault charges carry a maximum penalty of up to life in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.
Both men were booked into the Pierce County Jail following the investigation, according to the probable cause declaration.
