DES MOINES, Wash. — A suspect in a shooting that killed three people and injured two others in Des Moines is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the King County Prosecutor's Office.
The Sept. 26 incident took place in the early morning hours outside La Familia Sports Pub and Lounge.
Court documents say the suspect, 44-year-old Joshua Puloka, was shown on video in an altercation with one of the victims before the shooting. The victim swung at Puloka, who then began shooting as he fell down, according to documents.
Puloka shot the victim twice in the back as he ran away, killing him. Four other bystanders were shot, according to court documents, two of whom also died from their injuries.
The King County Prosecutor's Office is requesting the suspect be held without bail because "the defendant has a propensity for violence that creates a substantial likelihood of danger to the community," according to court documents.
The Des Moines Police Department also developed probable cause to arrest 32-year-old Demarcus L. Simmons for felony assault, which occurred just before the shooting took place.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Simmons should contact the DMPD Tip Line at 206-870-6871.
Officers gathered surveillance footage and continued to receive tips, saying on Sept. 30 that there were several “persons of interest” related to the incident.
A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that helps lead to the arrest of Puloka or Simmons through Crime Stoppers with the help of friends and family of one of the victims.
