A neighborhood visit in Tacoma’s Salishan turned into a deadly ambush on October 21, 2021. Maria Nunez, 42, had picked up her 19-year-old son, Emery Iese, and stopped at her mother’s home where they joined Raymond Williams, 22, and his girlfriend, Natasha Brincefield, 22. As the group gathered in the alley behind the house around 4:22 p.m., a man armed with a gun appeared and opened fire.

Maria was shot as she tried to get out of her car. Three victims, including Maria, were found in the alley; Emery was chased to the front of the house and shot. Maria, Emery, and Natasha were pronounced dead at the scene; Raymond was taken to a hospital and later died. The Pierce County Medical Examiner ruled all four deaths homicides from gunshot wounds.

Police arrested 22-year-old Maleke Dominique Pate on October 29, 2021, after finding a 9mm handgun and matching ammunition at his home, and charged him with four counts of aggravated first-degree murder. Does anyone have information about Maria’s life in Tacoma or knew her and her family?