Crime
Officer-Involved Shooting in Puyallup Following Pursuit of Armed Carjacking Suspect
Puyallup, WA — A deadly officer-involved shooting occurred Friday on Valley Avenue NE in Puyallup following a pursuit of an armed carjacking suspect originating from Tacoma.
The incident unfolded near the 500 block of Valley Avenue NE, drawing a significant law enforcement and emergency response.
According to preliminary information, the suspect, who allegedly committed two separate carjackings at knifepoint in Tacoma, led officers on a high-speed pursuit that ended in a crash in Puyallup.
Upon crashing the stolen vehicle, the suspect reportedly exited while still armed, leading to a confrontation with officers.
During that encounter, officers discharged their weapons, striking the suspect.
Although CPR was reportedly initiated once medical personnel arrived on scene, no life-saving efforts were conducted prior to the arrival of EMS.
The suspect was later declared deceased at the scene, and a white sheet was placed over the body pending arrival of the Pierce County Medical Examiner.
No officers were injured during the incident.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the suspect.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing the confrontation unfold and described the situation as deeply unsettling.
Investigators acknowledged the high number of civilian witnesses and are working to gather statements and review any available footage.
The incident is under investigation by the Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT), which handles officer-involved shootings in the region.
Additional details are expected as the investigation progresses.
This remains a tragic situation, and thoughts have been expressed for the family of the deceased.
Crime
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.