Man Killed In Lakewood Shooting Near Bar Identified

LAKEWOOD, WA - The man killed in a shooting near the Hammertime Bar along Steilacoom Boulevard has been identified. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's office identified the victim as Jesse Hinton, 43, of Lakewood. He was found dead in a crash near where the shooting happened, Lakewood police reported.

Lakewood police reported Tuesday that two vehicles began exchanging gunfire in the parking lot outside the Hammertime Bar at around 2 p.m. Tuesday. Shortly after, police discovered a minivan that had crashed into a utility pole about one block northwest of that location at the intersection of 87th Street and Durango Street. Hinton was found dead inside the vehicle, and police believe another person who was in the car fled the scene on foot.

The Tacoma News Tribune reported Wednesday that Hinton and two other men opened fire on a rival gang member in the parking lot of the shopping plaza where Hammertime is located. The two men in the van with Hinton fled and have not been arrested, according to the News Tribune. Police believe that the man Hinton and the other accomplice were targeting fired the shot that killed Hinton.

The second vehicle involved in the incident was stopped in Parkland by Pierce County Sheriff's deputies. Police were able to identify the other vehicle because its back window was shot out, Lakewood police said. The people in the vehicle were released Tuesday after it was determined that they were friends of the intended target, and were caught in the crossfire, according to the News Tribune.

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