South Sound News

Boyfriend arrested after woman found dead inside apartment near Lacey

LACEY, Wash. — The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide near Lacey.

Thurston County Lt. Cameron Simper said a 25-year-old man allegedly confessed to shooting and killing his 21-year-old girlfriend at the Copper Wood Apartments early Monday morning.

Simper said they received a tip from the man’s family member in Pierce County.

The 911 caller said the man admitted to the crime.

When deputies arrived at the apartment complex off Martin Way, they found the woman dead inside a unit. Deputies said she had a gunshot wound.

As of Monday morning, it was not clear what lead up to the shooting.

“We’re still trying to determine that. We have detectives with our suspect who was taken into custody in Pierce County. We will provide an opportunity for him to give us a statement in an interview, and see if we can determine any additional details,” said Simper.

Detectives said the suspect occasionally stayed at the apartment with the woman.

At the time of the incident, the two were alone, but Simper said the woman leaves behind a child.

Neighbors were shocked to learn what unfolded overnight.

“It’s just a shame when people decide that they need to take their lives, or other people’s lives, because they can’t handle their emotions or their thoughts,” said Santino Cherry, who lives in the apartment complex.

Cherry said he’s been living there for four years.

“I just feel like I see violence in apartment complexes more often than I would like to,” he said.

Pierce and Thurston county investigators are working together on the case.

The suspect was booked into the Thurston County Jail for second-degree murder, domestic violence.