Puyallup police have arrested five juvenile suspects in relation to three shootings that appear to be interconnected, with investigations revealing that at least one suspect was involved in two of the incidents. The police began their investigation following the first shooting on December 12, which stemmed from a robbery arranged through social media, resulting in shots fired at a fleeing victim but no injuries. The second shooting on December 22 involved two teenagers firing at a juvenile still on a Pierce Transit bus, also without resulting injuries. The most serious of the incidents occurred on December 28, when a robbery involving illegal firearms led to a victim suffering a severe leg injury. Following a coordinated effort with other local agencies, police executed a search warrant in South Hill, leading to the arrest of four juveniles, who were booked on multiple charges including first-degree assault and robbery.

A fifth juvenile was apprehended shortly after during a traffic stop, further highlighting the ongoing issue of youth-related gun violence. Authorities recovered multiple firearms during the arrests, raising alarms about the safety of the community. The situation underscores the critical need for addressing gun violence and its impacts on young individuals in Puyallup.