A 16-year-old Tacoma resident has been charged with first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Khamal J. Blissitt in Kent on Nov. 21, 2024, according to charging documents filed by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors allege that on Nov. 21, the suspect ambushed Blissitt, firing multiple shots into his vehicle as he was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Military Road S. and Veterans Drive in Kent. Surveillance footage from nearby Lynn’s Towing captured the suspect jogging toward Blissitt’s car, opening fire six times through the passenger window, and then fleeing the scene.
The victim’s Lexus SUV continued forward after the shooting, eventually colliding with a light pole.
Officers arrived on the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but tragically, Blissitt was pronounced dead.
Detectives linked the suspect to the shooting using surveillance footage from the Grandview Apartments, where he was seen before and after the incident. Video captured him wearing distinct gray sweatpants with a black zipper, clothing that matched what the shooter was wearing in the footage. Witnesses later identified the suspect, and a forensic phone search of an associate’s device revealed photos of the suspect wearing the same outfit just hours before the shooting.
The suspect, who was already on pretrial release for a prior firearm possession charge, was not legally permitted to possess a handgun. The charging documents note that he had a history of defying court orders.
“The court should have no confidence that the defendant would follow any conditions if released,” prosecutors wrote, emphasizing the public safety risk. The state has requested that bail be set at $3 million.
On Feb. 8, 2025, the suspect was taken into custody after being dropped off at Tacoma General Hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg. Officers immediately identified his outstanding warrant and transported him to King County Juvenile Detention.
The suspect is being charged as an adult, due to the severity of the crime.
Defendants are innocent until proven guilty in court.
His next court appearance is set for later this month.
