Teen accused of Tacoma murder appear in court

In Tacoma, two teenage suspects have appeared in court charged with the murder of 18-year-old Messiah Washington, who was shot in an elevator on February 22. The attack was reportedly orchestrated by four individuals who ambushed Washington while he was distracted by his cell phone. His father, Jacque, expressed his anguish in court, stating that no form of justice can replace the loss of his son. The primary suspect, Kaleb Whiteside, is facing adult charges despite being a minor, highlighting the complexities of juvenile justice in violent crimes. Whiteside, a convicted felon with a history of theft and robbery, had been on at-home monitoring prior to the incident.

Court documents indicate that the suspects stalked Washington, suggesting a premeditated plan to attack him. The community remains on edge, especially with one suspect still unaccounted for. Authorities are calling for public assistance in providing any information that could lead to the capture of the remaining suspect.