Victim identified in Federal Way fatal shooting, suspect in hospital after suicide attempt | Update

Published 1:35 pm Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Federal Way police expect the King County Prosecutor’s Office to file charges tomorrow against a man who killed his estranged girlfriend on Saturday before turning the gun on himself.

The 46-year-old suspect, whom the Mirror will not name until officially charged, allegedly shot and killed Tabitha M. Apling, 33, at approximately 10 p.m. on Sept. 24 after an argument at the suspect’s mother’s house.

Federal Way police were dispatched to the 31700 block of 3rd Place Southwest after receiving a 911 call in which the caller hung up. According to Federal Way Police Department spokeswoman Cathy Schrock, officers were then approached by the suspect’s mother who told them her son “produced a handgun” during the argument.

“She reported there was a struggle over the weapon when she heard a gunshot,” Schrock said. “She took her two grandchildren (6-month-old and 5-year-old) and fled the apartment.”

The suspect had recently moved in with his mother. Apling was allegedly violating a domestic violence protection order that was in place when she was killed, Schrock said. The protection order was filed in Auburn.

Officers found Apling deceased in the apartment from a gunshot wound. The suspect had a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was taken to Harborview Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.

If the suspect survives his injuries, he likely will face charges of domestic violence murder and being felon in possession of a firearm.

“There is also going to be an aggravated enhancement added to the charges,” Schrock said, explaining the department is waiting for clarification from the King County Prosecutor’s Office on that.

This was the seventh murder to occur in Federal Way this year. The eighth occurred Monday night.

The Mirror will update this report as more information becomes available.