Auburn man held after Federal Way shooting death

A 20-year-old Auburn man has been booked into the King County Jail for investigation of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of a man outside a Federal Way apartment early Friday morning.

The suspect, who is not being named because he has not been charged, was convicted last year of felony animal cruelty.

Shortly before 1 a.m. Friday, officers were called to the Park at Dash Point Apartments, 31736 50th Lane S.W., and found a man dead from gunshot wounds, according to Federal Way police. A 22-year-old man also wounded in the incident was later discovered at Auburn Regional Medical Center, then taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he was in serious condition Friday.

Nearly 15 people got into a fight in the parking lot and at some point somebody opened fire, said police spokeswoman Cathy Schrock. Three firearms were recovered at the scene and one car has been impounded as evidence, Schrock said.

Detectives are still investigating the motive for the fight and the relationship between the 25-year-old slaying victim and the alleged gunman.

The suspect was convicted of animal cruelty after he and two other men shot and killed a Chihuahua on June 11, 2007, Auburn police said. The dog, which belonged to a neighbor of the suspected Federal Way gunman, died at a veterinary clinic.

The man pleaded guilty to first-degree animal cruelty, a felony, and served five months at the King County Jail, according to Auburn police. In February, the man was back behind bars in Grays Harbor County, for investigation of negligent driving and possession of a dangerous weapon.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Federal Way police Detective Gregory Wells at 253-835-6751.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com