Body Found Burned In Treehouse In Rural Pierce County

ORTING, WA - Police found a man's body inside a burned treehouse along the Carbon River early Monday morning. Police believe the man was shot and killed in the treehouse during a dispute with another man over property.

Near 3:30 a.m., Pierce County deputies responded to a home along Pioneer Way in Orting on a report of a woman with a gunshot wound. The woman, who was shot in the foot, told the deputies she was injured during a dispute inside the treehouse along with another man.

Police were already familiar with the treehouse due to transient activity. They have also been there to rescue people trying to cross the river to get to the structure. The deputies learned that the suspected shooter had brought the injured woman across the river in a boat and dropped her at the home along Pioneer Way. The homeowner told deputies that the suspect had headed back across the river to the treehouse.

Around 7 a.m., the Pierce County SWAT team crossed the river in inflatable rafts and hiked up to the treehouse. They found the treehouse burned, and a man's body inside next to a rifle.

Meanwhile, a deputy back at the river spotted a man walking along the banks. Police caught up to him in the woods hiding behind the tree. He surrendered without incident and was taken into custody on charges of first-degree murder and assault.

Detectives believe two men were fighting over lost or stolen property before the shooting. Police were on scene near the treehouse all day and were still processing evidence Monday afternoon.

Image courtesy Pierce County Sheriff