In the early morning of April 16, 2016, 25-year-old Lucas Gritzke was shot and killed inside room 222 at the Northwest Motor Inn on South Meridian in Puyallup, Washington. Gritzke had gone to the motel to confront another man, identified as 25-year-old Troy Bottemiller of Federal Way, over allegations that the other man had been impersonating him to sell heroin to Gritzke’s customers. Police responded just before 5 a.m. after a 911 call; officers found Gritzke on the room floor and he was pronounced dead at the scene despite CPR.

Witnesses described Gritzke angrily demanding money and valuables from Bottemiller. A 45-caliber handgun was later recovered hidden under rocks below a stairwell. Bottemiller initially fled in a vehicle but returned and was arrested; he was charged with second-degree murder. At trial the prosecution said Bottemiller pulled the gun as Gritzke moved toward the door and fired once, while the defense said Bottemiller acted in self-defense, claiming Gritzke was high on methamphetamine and had a history of violence with Bottemiller. The jury found Bottemiller not guilty and determined the use of force was justified.

If anyone knew Lucas, his movements that night, or has additional information about the confrontation at the motel, please share what is known.