Gunfire Erupts Outside Allenmore Hospital ER: Multiple Victims Shot, Suspect at Large
A terrifying act of violence struck the heart of Tacoma Wednesday evening when gunshots rang out at the Emergency Room entrance of Allenmore Hospital, prompting panic among staff, patients, and bystanders. Authorities are now in an urgent manhunt for the suspect responsible for what officials are calling a brazen and reckless shooting at a medical facility.
A Violent Outburst at a Place of Healing
At approximately 7:05 PM, multiple 911 calls flooded the Tacoma Police Department’s dispatch center. The reports described a hail of gunfire outside the ER entrance at Allenmore Hospital, located at 1901 S. Union Avenue.
Responding officers and emergency crews arrived within minutes to find a chaotic scene. Two individuals were discovered with gunshot wounds:
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A male victim who had sustained a gunshot wound to the neck, and
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A second individual with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Both victims were immediately triaged by hospital staff already present in the ER. Their current conditions remain undisclosed, though sources indicate at least one of the victims was in critical condition upon arrival.
The shooting occurred just feet from the emergency entrance, sending staff and patients running for cover and prompting a swift lockdown of hospital entrances. Hospital security, aided by local law enforcement, moved quickly to clear and secure the building.
Suspect Fled the Scene — Manhunt Underway
The shooter reportedly fled the scene on foot or in a waiting vehicle, according to early witness accounts. No arrests have been made as of this writing, and the suspect remains at large. Authorities have yet to release a physical description, but are reviewing surveillance footage from the hospital and surrounding businesses to identify the perpetrator.
Tacoma Police have not confirmed a motive at this stage of the investigation. It remains unclear whether the victims were specifically targeted or caught in a broader, indiscriminate attack. Officials emphasized that the investigation is still in its preliminary stages.
Panic and Disruption Inside the Hospital
Eyewitnesses described a scene of confusion and fear as the sound of gunshots echoed through the hospital campus. Patients in the ER waiting area reportedly dove to the floor, and hospital staff swiftly moved to shelter patients and visitors.
One nurse, who asked not to be identified, told reporters:
“We’re trained for emergencies, but not this. There was screaming, running — no one knew if the shooter was coming inside. All we could do was protect our patients.”
The hospital’s ER was temporarily closed to incoming trauma cases, with patients rerouted to nearby facilities including St. Joseph Medical Center and MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital. As of 9:00 PM, portions of Allenmore Hospital remained under lockdown, and law enforcement maintained a heavy presence in the area.
Public Safety and Community Response
Tacoma Police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or tips that might lead to the apprehension of the shooter. While there is no ongoing active threat inside the hospital, the community remains on edge as detectives work around the clock to identify and locate the assailant.
City officials and health care workers alike have expressed shock and outrage that violence would erupt in a place meant for healing.
“This is a direct assault on the safety and sanctity of our healthcare system,” said a spokesperson for MultiCare Health System. “We are deeply shaken, but our resolve to serve our community remains unbroken.”
Ongoing Investigation
Tacoma Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit is leading the investigation, working in tandem with hospital security and the Washington State Patrol. Detectives were seen combing the parking lot and interviewing witnesses late into the evening.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the shooting was gang-related, a personal dispute, or an act of random violence. More information will be released as investigators gather evidence and interview potential witnesses.
Community in Shock
This incident marks yet another instance of gun violence in an area already grappling with public safety concerns. The city of Tacoma has seen an uptick in shootings in recent months, prompting calls for more robust security measures and community-based violence prevention programs.
What Comes Next
As the victims fight for their lives and investigators continue to piece together what happened, the community is left to process a disturbing and surreal event. There is no greater breach of public trust than violence at a hospital — a place where people go to be saved, not shot.
The public is urged to avoid the area around Allenmore Hospital, and anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Tacoma Police Department tip line or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
This story is developing. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
