TACOMA, Wash. — A man suspected of fatally stabbing another man in Tacoma on Dec. 27, 2023, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, Jan. 3.
Garry Heroshi Smith, 63, is being held on $1 million bail after being charged with two counts of second-degree murder.
According to probable cause documents, police were sent to the intersection of East 28th Street and Bay Street just after 11 p.m. on Dec. 27. When they arrived they found a person attempting to perform CPR on the victim, who was unresponsive and suffering from a stab wound in his chest.
The victim was taken to St. Joseph's Medical Center where he was declared dead around 11:30 p.m.
The person performing CPR on the victim said he did not know him and asked to remain anonymous when asked if he knew who the suspect was. He tried to leave the scene but was detained and then arrested on outstanding warrants.
Officers noted multiple tents in the area that appeared to have a large homeless population. Officers found one witness who told them he was standing outside his tent at the time. He said the victim walked past him and said he had firewood and would bring some back. The witness said he heard the victim moaning a few minutes later, but did not see anyone nearby. He then called 911.
Detectives later found security footage from Emerald Queen Casino that captured the stabbing.
In the video, a man in a reflective construction vest, later identified as Smith, is seen near a tent. A few minutes before 11 p.m., he walks along the sidewalk, turns around, and re-enters his tent. Shortly thereafter, the victim can be seen entering Smith's tent. About a minute later the victim leaves the tent "at a brisk pace while clutching the middle of his chest."
The victim staggers down the sidewalk before collapsing.
On Jan. 1, detectives went to the tent Smith is seen entering in the video. Smith complied with police when asked to exit the tent. He was wearing a reflective construction vest when he was arrested.
While serving a warrant to search the tent, detectives found a multi-tool with a knife blade and another construction vest. They also found an EBT card with the name "Garry Smith."
