Woman's Death At Lakewood Barbershop Linked To Crime Spree

LAKEWOOD, WA — A 57-year-old woman was found dead at a Veterans Drive barber shop Thursday afternoon, and police say the killer carried out a series of crimes across the city before the murder.

The victim was identified Friday by the Pierce County Medical Examiner as Pyong Sun Ryan. She died of multiple stab wounds.

Just before noon, Lakewood police got a call about a man and a woman trying to steal a car from a 76-year-old man at a home along Highland Avenue Southwest. The two suspects ran off, but minutes later police got a call about a burglary in progress at a nearby home, also involving a man with a machete and woman. The homeowner in that incident scared the two would-burglars off with a gun.

At around 12:15 p.m., police spotted the 31-year-old man linked to the crimes driving a truck along Naomilawn Drive Southwest. He was eventually arrested after a brief negotiation. He was later taken to jail on charges of murder, assault, and burglary.

About thirty minutes later, police arrested a 38-year-old woman linked to the incidents. She has been jailed on outstanding warrants.

Ryan was killed around noon at the barbershop along the 9100 block of Veterans Drive, police said.

The last murder in Lakewood happened in June when Christopher Allen, 52, was shot at a trailer along the 6900 block of 146th Street Southwest. Jovan Antwann Wade, 38, has been charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder in that case.