Man killed in car wreck found to have been shot

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, Fife police responded to a single vehicle collision at the intersection of 70^th Avenue East and 20^thStreet East. Information indicated that the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on 20^th Street East prior to colliding with several light poles, trees and a fire hydrant. Tacoma Fire personnel responded to the scene and the male driver was declared deceased.

Upon further investigation, it was found that the cause of the collision was due to the 23-year-old driver being struck and killed by gunfire before the collision occurred. After being fatally struck, the victim’s vehicle went out of control. The incident is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary information indicates that this was a random and violent attack on the victim. 

The victim, identified as Rudolph King III, resided in Milton. He was a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University and was on active-duty status as an officer with the Army National Guard. Detectives are still investigating so additional information may be available as the investigation progresses.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Travis Kenyon at (253) 896-8291.