PUYALLUP, Wash. — The man who was shot and killed by Pierce County Sheriff's Department deputies on Nov. 28 was the suspect accused of kidnapping and raping a woman in her car outside the Tacoma Mall days before.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office identified the man as 22-year-old James Salanoa, Jr.
On Nov. 22, the Tacoma Police Department asked for the public's help in finding Salanoa after he was suspected of kidnapping and raping a woman at gunpoint outside the Tacoma Mall shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 18, according to the Tacoma Police Department.
Law enforcement officials initially said Salanoa was wanted for "several violent felonies" and that he attempted to flee from deputies when he was found on Tuesday evening.
When his vehicle came to a stop next to a state Route 512 ramp near the South Hill Mall, he exited the vehicle armed with a handgun, according to Lakewood police Sergeant Charles Porche.
Several deputies fired their weapons, killing Salanoa at the scene, according to the Pierce County Force Investigation Team.
Deputies say there were other people in his car at the time of the shooting. None of them were hurt and they were questioned by authorities. No deputies or nearby civilians were injured, according to information from the Investigation Team.
Salanoa's criminal history includes charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm and armed robbery, among others. He pleaded guilty and served time for some of the crimes, and had a warrant out for his arrest in connection to an armed robbery in June.