Heart of Healing Turned to Scene of Horror
Tacoma, WA — What should have been an ordinary evening at Allenmore Hospital turned into a scene of terror and heartbreak on Wednesday when gunfire erupted just outside the Emergency Room entrance, leaving two people seriously wounded and sending shockwaves through the community.
Shortly after 7 PM, the calm of the medical facility at 1901 S. Union Avenue was pierced by the sound of gunshots. Panicked calls to 911 flooded the lines as hospital staff, patients, and visitors scrambled for safety. The shooting, which took place mere steps from the ER doors, struck a deep chord of fear in a place meant to heal.
Responding officers arrived within minutes to a chaotic and heart-wrenching scene. A man had been shot in the neck, and another individual was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Both were rushed inside the hospital by the very people already working to save lives inside. Their conditions remain undisclosed, though sources close to the case say at least one remains in critical condition.
As hospital personnel sprang into crisis mode, the emergency room was immediately placed on lockdown, and entrances to the facility were sealed. Trauma patients were diverted to nearby hospitals, while those inside Allenmore were sheltered in place. Law enforcement and security worked swiftly to sweep and secure the grounds.
But the shooter was gone.
Despite a swift and intensive response, the suspect fled the scene—either on foot or in a waiting vehicle, according to early witness reports. As of late Wednesday night, no arrest had been made, and a manhunt remains underway. Investigators are poring over surveillance footage and conducting interviews in hopes of identifying the gunman.
“We Train for Emergencies, But Not This”
Inside the hospital, chaos gave way to shock and sorrow. One nurse described the fear and confusion that erupted with the gunfire:
“It was surreal. People screamed, dropped to the ground. We had no idea if the shooter was coming inside. All we could think about was keeping our patients alive.”
In a cruel irony, the very place meant to protect life became a backdrop for violence. It’s a pain not only felt by those wounded, but by a city already weary from an uptick in gun-related tragedies.
City officials, law enforcement, and hospital leaders voiced both their anger and heartbreak over the incident.
“This was not just an attack on two people,” said a spokesperson for MultiCare Health System. “This was an attack on every doctor, nurse, and patient who believes a hospital should be a sanctuary—not a target.”
No Motive Yet, But Fear Lingers
As of now, the motive remains unknown. Authorities have not confirmed whether this was a targeted shooting, a personal dispute, or an act of senseless violence. Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit continue to collect evidence and pursue leads, but answers remain elusive.
The area surrounding the hospital remains heavily patrolled, and the community has been asked to stay alert. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tacoma Police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
A City in Mourning
This latest shooting casts a long shadow over a city already reckoning with a rise in gun violence. For many, the breach of safety at a hospital is especially chilling. It’s a reminder that no place—not even one built on compassion and care—is immune to the reach of violence.
As the victims fight for their lives, Tacoma finds itself asking yet again: When will it end?
For now, the city mourns. And waits.