Investigators say the victim was shot multiple times after a confrontation at an apartment.
PUYALLUP, Wash. — A Pierce County man has been charged with second-degree murder after authorities said a 37-year-old man was shot and killed at a Puyallup townhome in what deputies initially described as an isolated incident.
Pierce County deputies responded around 4:19 a.m. Sunday, April 12, to a reported shooting in the 12200 block of Canyon Road East after a neighbor called 911 saying they heard yelling and loud banging next door.
When deputies arrived, they found Tyriek Patterson with gunshot wounds. He died while being taken to a hospital. A second man was also hurt.
“It appears this was an incident between known parties,” Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Joshua Mills said. “Not a random act of violence. Not something that would generally affect the rest of the public.”
Court records filed Friday identify the suspect as Moses Levin Karovsky.
Prosecutors charged him with two counts of second-degree murder, including one count alleging intentional murder and one tied to second-degree assault. The charging documents also say he was armed with a firearm.
According to court documents, Patterson was found with multiple gunshot wounds after a confrontation inside an upstairs bedroom and bathroom.
Deputies saw a silver 2013 Toyota Avalon speeding out of the complex as they arrived. Investigators later linked that car and witness statements to Karovsky.
Investigators said the shooting happened after Patterson and another man went to the townhome.
Patterson’s mother, Kyro Grooms, said her son was visiting his girlfriend with a friend when the shooting happened, and that he discovered his girlfriend with another man, who then shot both Patterson and his friend. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office has not confirmed that account.
“He was a beautiful human being who did not deserve this,” Grooms said.
Grooms said Patterson leaves behind two sons, ages 9 and 12.
“My son is dead. My grandkids don’t have a dad. Their mom’s not around. Their dad was the sole provider and now he’s gone. So now what?” Grooms said.
Court records say investigators found signs of a struggle in the bathroom, along with bullet holes, a bullet fragment and one spent shell casing. Detectives wrote that the scene suggested more shell casings should have been there and believed they had been removed.
The records also say the gun used in the shooting has not been recovered.
Court records say Karovsky turned himself in at a Seattle police station on Tuesday.
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