TACOMA, Wash. -- An arrest has been made in the shooting death of Michael Ward, Jr., and the suspect, Vernon Curry, has been charged with first degree murder. Ward was killed outside an after-hours night club in Tacoma on Sept. 7.
The arrest comes nearly 10 days since Ward was murdered in the 3800 block of Yakima Avenue. According to court documents, an officer was already in the area responding to an unrelated complaint and observed a man in a mask running from the area where shots were fired. Ward was shot several times.
The court documents also revealed that a mask and gun were recovered the night of the incident. Detectives were able to use surveillance video and social media, where Curry is allegedly wearing the mask, to link suspect to the crime scene.
Curry pleaded not guilty Wednesday. His bail was set at $2 million. Ward's family were present in court and said they knew Curry but didn't know his motive.
Ward's family is helping to organize an anti-violence rally Wednesday night at Lincoln Park, close to where Ward was shot and killed.
