2 Shot During Overnight Robbery In Puyallup: Police

PUYALLUP, WA — Two men have been shot after an attempted robbery in Puyallup late Tuesday night, according to law enforcement.

Puyallup police say that around 10 p.m. their officers were dispatched to a "chaotic scene" at the Riverside Park Apartments on East Main Avenue.

When they arrived, they found two men in the surrounding area who had been shot. Both have been taken to a nearby hospital and are reported to be in serious condition.

After a brief investigation police contacted the shooter and several witnesses, and have pieced together a timeline of what happened.

Officers say they believe three men, the two victims and one other man, had entered an apartment with the intention of robbing it. However, they were met by the apartment's 19-year-old tenant, who was armed and fired several rounds at them.

Officers say they tenant is cooperating with their investigation. They also say there appears to be a connection between the victims and the tenant, and that this was not a random crime.

Witnesses told police that, shortly after the shooting, several other individuals and vehicles could be seen fleeing the area. Officers are still working to track down anyone else who was involved in the incident — including the third man who entered the apartment but was not shot.

Police say they expect to file criminal charges against the two men who were shot. They are also interviewing the tenant to ensure his claim, that he show them in self-defense, is within state law.