Randy Douglas Brown, 60, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the second-degree murder of 38-year-old Yinairy Medina Castro at a Tacoma homeless encampment. Brown pleaded guilty to the March 27 shooting, which occurred after Castro accused him of inappropriate touching. Witnesses indicated that Castro had informed a friend’s boyfriend about Brown's actions, leading to a confrontation that escalated to gunfire. Brown shot Castro while she was seated on a couch, and she was later found by a passerby but died shortly after due to her injuries. Following the incident, Brown was arrested under a bench warrant and has remained in custody.

He also faced sentencing for a separate burglary charge, reflecting a troubling pattern of criminal behavior. This case highlights the urgent need for solutions to address violence and support vulnerable populations within Tacoma's homeless encampments.