Two dead in apparent murder-suicide at Fort Lewis

FORT LEWIS, Pierce County — A man who fatally shot a civilian vendor at Fort Lewis before shooting himself has died, the Army reported.

The man, a 59-year-old retired soldier from Lakewood, Pierce County, died just before 4 p.m. at Madigan Army Medical Center. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1992. His identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, according to the Army.

The FBI is investigating the double-shooting which occurred at 11:20 a.m. at the base's main post exchange.

The woman, a civilian vendor at the post exchange, was pronounced dead shortly after noon, officials said.

"Preliminary indications are there are two victims, one man and one woman," said Fort Lewis spokesman Joe Kubistek. "Indications are that the man shot the woman and turned the gun on himself."

Both were taken to Madigan Army Medical Center immediately after the shooting, Kubistek said.

Army officials have not released the identities of either person. The woman was described as a vendor on the base.

Maj. Mike Garcia did not disclose the relationship between the man and woman.

The incident occurred in a corridor outside the main post exchange about 11:20 a.m., Garcia said.

"The military police have secured the scene, and people in the area has been evacuated," Kubistek said shortly after the shootings. "The main post exchange is closed while Fort Lewis law enforcement investigate."

Garcia said during the news conference that the FBI has taken over the investigation.

The post exchange, commonly known as the "PX," is a shopping hub at Fort Lewis that serves military personnel and their dependents.

Fort Lewis, which is located south of Tacoma, is the largest Army installation west of Texas, and now has some 30,000 soldiers stationed there. Some live on post, and others live in surrounding areas.

Garcia said loaded firearms are not allowed to be brought on the base.

Lewis Kamb: 206-464-2341 or lkamb@seattletimes.com