On September 10, 2023, around 2 a.m., 39-year-old Joseph Briggs was shot and killed in a parking lot in the 5200 block of South Tacoma Way outside the Night Owl Lounge in Tacoma, Washington. Briggs, a Black/African American martial artist and an off-duty security guard for the lounge, intervened when a group of men were assaulting at least one woman. During a physical confrontation he was shot multiple times in the chest; by the time officers arrived a witness was attempting to apply pressure to his wounds and Briggs was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tacoma police identified a suspect and on October 4, 2023 arrested 33-year-old Keenan David Blakely, who was later charged with two counts of second-degree murder, second-degree assault, and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Court papers say Blakely and a second man pleaded not guilty and that a witness identified Blakely as the shooter, saying he fired while Briggs had him in a headlock.

Briggs, a father of two, was remembered by the local martial arts community as a hero. His estate later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the lounge, the property owners, and the security company alleging negligence and inadequate security despite a known history of violence at the location.

If anyone witnessed the confrontation that night or has information about the people involved, can you share what you know?