Tensions ran high on Puyallup’s Riverwalk Trail when a man armed with both a hatchet and a machete began lunging at passersby, sparking panic among trailers. The terrifying incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon, leaving many shaken, though thankfully, no injuries were reported.
According to Puyallup Police, officers responded to a call at 2:26 p.m. about “intimidation with a weapon.” Witnesses on the trail described seeing a man in his 20s, either white or Hispanic, brandishing both a machete and a hatchet. “He was trying to attack someone,” one witness reported, with multiple people recalling how the man lunged at them as they passed by.
In a chilling turn of events, the suspect not only swung his weapons at those on the trail but also began following some of them, heightening fears for safety. Authorities wasted no time, swiftly setting up a perimeter around the area where the suspect was last spotted. As the man made his way down the riverbank in an attempt to evade capture, the situation escalated.
Utilizing the King County Sheriff’s Office Guardian 1 helicopter and a police K9 unit, officers located the man along the riverbank, still in possession of one of the weapons. With the help of aerial surveillance and ground support, the suspect was apprehended without further incident.
Fortunately, no citizens were harmed during the frightening encounter, though the shock lingered for many who witnessed the attack. The man was subsequently booked into Pierce County Jail on two counts of first-degree assault, along with additional felony warrants.
Puyallup Police continue to investigate the motive behind the alarming attack, but for now, the quick response of law enforcement has put an end to a dangerous situation on the trail.