21-year-old struck during pre-dawn shooting caught on surveillance

According to reporting by MyNorthwest, Tacoma police are searching for three suspects recorded on home surveillance video opening fire on a residence early Tuesday morning. Officers said they arrived at the home around 4:40 a.m. and recovered nearly 60 shell casings.

Stephen Taylor, who told reporters he has lived in the home for four decades, said he awoke to the sound of breaking glass and discovered his 21‑year‑old daughter bleeding after being struck by gunfire while she slept. According to MyNorthwest’s reporting, Taylor said three bullets hit his daughter, causing a wound to an artery in her ankle. He said her sister applied pressure until emergency responders arrived.

The young woman was transported to a local hospital with injuries described as non‑life‑threatening. According to MyNorthwest, Taylor said she has since been released. He also described extensive damage inside the house, including rounds that pierced multiple walls before exiting at the rear of the home.

The suspects fled before police arrived. As of the latest reporting, Tacoma police had not announced arrests or identified a potential motive. Taylor told MyNorthwest he is struggling to understand why the home was targeted but expressed confidence that investigators will resolve the case.

Family members quoted in the MyNorthwest report said they view the young woman’s survival as fortunate. A fundraiser to support her recovery has been posted on GoFundMe. Additional video of the incident was published by KIRO 7 and is available here.

Why this matters for Southwest Washington

While the shooting occurred in Tacoma, the region’s law‑enforcement agencies—including those in Cowlitz County—frequently collaborate with Pierce County and other jurisdictions when investigations involve suspects, vehicles, or firearm trafficking routes that cross the I‑5 corridor. Violent incidents of this scale often trigger information‑sharing among departments from Longview to Seattle, particularly when suspects remain at large.

Local agencies in Southwest Washington have repeatedly emphasized the importance of early notification when high‑risk incidents occur elsewhere along the corridor, noting that suspects in drive‑by or targeted shootings sometimes travel significant distances before apprehension.

Looking ahead

Tacoma police continue to seek information about the three individuals shown in the surveillance footage. At the time of publication, investigators had not released updated details about suspects or vehicle descriptions. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged by Tacoma police to contact their tip line.

Sources