Federal Way police arrest suspect in Labor Day killing

A woman was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of fatally shooting another young woman Labor Day evening in a neighborhood near Dash Point State Park in Federal Way.

The suspect in the killing, a 22-year-old Kaejah Duncan, was booked into King County Jail Wednesday. She has been charged by the county prosecutor with second-degree murder and first-degree unlawful firearm possession.

Prosecutors say Duncan shot at a moving vehicle that was fleeing a parking lot at a condominium apartment complex. Her actions “put not only those in the vehicle she shot at and killed (in danger), but also the people in the complex,” prosecutors wrote.

Also concerning was her possession of a fully automatic “ghost gun,” or an unregistered firearm, prosecutors said. They asked for $2 million bail due to the “extreme danger (Duncan) poses to the community if released.”

The victim was 19-year-old Aniyah Lowe, who succumbed to her wounds at St. Francis Hospital. Prosecutors have asked for no contact with Lowe’s family.

Charging documents indicate a 911 caller at 11:19 p.m. frantically reported that her friend had been shot.

As Federal Way police responded to the area, 911 operators received more reports of shots at the Maplewood Condominiums in the 32100 block of 46th Place SW. About 10 minutes later, while officers were searching the area, the 19-year-old woman arrived at St. Francis Hospital in a private vehicle with a gunshot wound to her back.

Witness interviews and crime scene investigation led officers to develop probable cause and execute a search warrant for a residence in the area, according to according to FWPD Cmdr. Kurt Schwan. Officers had found the Duncan by 9:30 a.m. at that residence, Schwan said, and arrested her without incident.

Prosecutors said Duncan has a previous conviction in Pierce County for second-degree assault with a deadly weapon.