Five people were killed late Tuesday morning in Purdy after a stabbing escalated into a shooting, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred near the 14000 block of 87th Avenue Court Northwest, an area just north of Lake Kathryn. Authorities reported that one of the victims was transported to a hospital with critical injuries but later died, bringing the total fatalities to five, including the suspect. ([ktvz.com](https://ktvz.com/news/2026/02/24/5-dead-on-key-peninsula-after-reports-of-man-stabbing-people-in-the-street/?utm_source=openai))

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the initial 911 call came in at approximately 8:47 a.m. for an alleged violation of a no‑contact order involving an adult male entering a residence. Deputies later confirmed that the order had not yet been served. As they were headed to the scene, multiple callers reported that a man was stabbing people outside the home shortly before 9:30 a.m. A deputy arrived minutes later, and shots were reported at 9:33 a.m. The Pierce County Force Investigation Team has since taken over the case, as is standard procedure for police-involved shootings. ([ktvz.com](https://ktvz.com/news/2026/02/24/5-dead-on-key-peninsula-after-reports-of-man-stabbing-people-in-the-street/?utm_source=openai))

Witness accounts described part of the attack occurring in the middle of the street in front of bystanders. Traffic was affected along State Route 302 as emergency responders converged on the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured. ([ktvz.com](https://ktvz.com/news/2026/02/24/5-dead-on-key-peninsula-after-reports-of-man-stabbing-people-in-the-street/?utm_source=openai))

The Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as a 32‑year‑old man. Four victims died at the scene, while the fifth died after being transported by local fire crews. The incident remains under active investigation, and further updates are expected as investigators review witness statements and forensic evidence. ([ca.news.yahoo.com](https://ca.news.yahoo.com/5-dead-pierce-county-stabbing-200637004.html?utm_source=openai))

Why this matters

This event highlights ongoing challenges in Washington State regarding service and enforcement of protective orders. Although the initial call involved a no‑contact order violation, deputies confirmed the order had not yet been legally served. Similar circumstances have complicated domestic‑violence responses across multiple counties, emphasizing the importance of timely order processing and public safety coordination—issues that have surfaced in previous statewide cases. ([ktvz.com](https://ktvz.com/news/2026/02/24/5-dead-on-key-peninsula-after-reports-of-man-stabbing-people-in-the-street/?utm_source=openai))

Sources

MyNorthwest: Witnesses watch as stabbing unfolds in Purdy, 5 dead including suspect

KTVZ: 5 dead on Key Peninsula after reports of man stabbing people in the street

Yahoo News: 5 dead in Pierce County after stabbing on Key Peninsula, shots fired by deputy

Reddit: 4 killed in Gig Harbor, Washington stabbing, suspect dead after shots fired