In a chilling story that seems to have been torn from a crime thriller, Puget Sound, Washington’s tranquil beauty was shattered by a deadly clash that profoundly affected those involved.
Emilio Anthony Joseph John, a 23-year-old man, was sentenced on March 1, 2024, to 23 years behind bars following a 2022 incident that left a young man dead and an ex-girlfriend critically injured.
Alexander Shaw, a 19-year-old from Steilacoom, Washington, was on his first date with John’s 22-year-old ex-girlfriend. Their quiet moment, overlooking the scenic Puget Sound, was abruptly shattered when John, driven by jealousy, opened fire on them while they sat in their car. Shaw’s life was tragically cut short, and his date, who had recently met Shaw online, suffered severe injuries.
The investigation that followed the shooting painted a grim picture of the events leading up to the tragedy. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots on that early evening of November 2022, around the time the victims were attacked. Shaw’s family, having tracked his phone, discovered his body in a Kia Forte, riddled with gunshot wounds.
Upon noticing a handbag on the passenger side of the vehicle, law enforcement officers initiated a search at local hospitals for individuals with gunshot injuries. This led them to a woman in Tacoma General Hospital’s ICU, suffering from four gunshot wounds to her left shoulder and chest. She was identified as the owner of the Kia.
Authorities also located an Apple AirTag near the car, suggesting it could be used for tracking. Reports from local residents indicated they heard gunshots around the time the woman was admitted to the hospital, between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m.
Hospital surveillance footage revealed that the woman was brought to the emergency room by a man driving a Dodge Charger, later identified as John. He swiftly acquired a wheelchair for her before fleeing in his vehicle.
Despite being intubated, the woman communicated with law enforcement by nodding and writing, disclosing that she and Shaw had planned their meeting through an online platform and decided to spend their date in her car, admiring Puget Sound. She recounted a masked individual approaching their vehicle and firing shots. When asked if she could identify the shooter, she expressed uncertainty but mentioned that John had driven her to the hospital.
Further inquiries revealed that the woman and John, who share a child, had a history of discord, particularly regarding John’s suspicions fueled by her interactions with another man on her phone. Previous threats by John involving a firearm were also mentioned.
John’s cell phone records corroborated his presence at the shooting location and his subsequent visit to the hospital.
John was apprehended two days after the incident. Initially, he denied involvement, claiming to have been elsewhere with friends. Upon being presented with the hospital video evidence, he invoked his Fifth Amendment right and sought legal representation.
A search of John’s residence led to the discovery of firearms and bullets matching those used during the shooting.
During his court hearing, Shaw’s sister poignantly questioned John about the moments preceding the shooting, seeking to understand if he had perceived the fear in her brother’s eyes.
John, in a statement, attributed his aggressive behavior leading up to the incident to the grief over his great-grandmother’s passing, increased alcohol consumption, and pill use. He expressed remorse to Shaw’s family during his sentencing, acknowledging the irreversible consequences of his actions, though admitting his inability to amend the situation.
The judge, despite acknowledging John’s youth and clean criminal history, underscored his actions’ indefensibility, labeling him a clear threat to public safety.
A local media outlet reported Cheryl Alatorre Bautista, the mother of the injured woman, expressing her agony in court: “It’s a mother’s worst nightmare, and that nightmare came true for me.”
Shaw is remembered for his love of outdoor activities like camping and kayaking, leaving behind a legacy that was tragically cut short.