Thurston court records shed light on fatal road-rage shooting in Lacey
A Thurston County Superior Court judge ordered that a 24-year-old defendant in a fatal road-rage shooting be held without bail during a preliminary appearance in court Monday afternoon.
Tucker S. Shirk of Lacey is accused of shooting and killing Eddie Park, 48, who also is from the same city, on the night of Friday, Dec. 19.
“The court is making the finding that this offense, this allegation, is punishable by the possibility of life in prison,” Judge John Skinder said during the hearing. “And based upon the declaration, clear and convincing evidence supports that the defendant’s propensity for violence creates a substantial likelihood of danger to this community.”
The court found probable cause for the alleged crimes of second-degree murder while armed with a firearm, second-degree assault while armed with a firearm and first-degree manslaughter while armed with a firearm.
Before he ordered the no-bail hold, the judge heard from deputy prosecuting attorney Leanne Stogsdill, the victim’s wife and public defender Diana Wildland.
Stogsdill initially argued that bail be set at $5 million, saying the defendant has minimal ties to the community. She also alleged that Park was walking away during the incident when he was shot.
The court also heard from Park’s wife who said through a Korean-language interpreter that for the safety of herself and two children, Shirk should not be released.
Stogsdill agreed and requested a no-bail hold.
Public defender Wildland took issue with that request, saying that no such motion was filed before the hearing.
“I do not believe that request is properly before the court,” she said.
She also pointed out that the facts as presented in the probable cause affidavit show a “significant self-defense claim.”
The defendant has lived here for four years and his wife is set to give birth, she said. He’s an active-duty service member in the U.S. Army.
Wildland countered with a $50,000 bond and a suggested a range of electronic monitoring for the defendant.
Judge Skinder disagreed and ordered the no-bail hold. Criminal charges must be filed by 5 p.m. Wednesday and Shirk’s arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. Friday, he said.
What court records show
The 24-year-old man is facing multiple criminal charges because he shot and killed Park following a testy exchange as they both drove north on Marvin Road in Lacey Friday night, according to the probable cause statement released on Monday.
The two drivers were ultimately side by side in the 2400 block of Marvin Road Northeast when the suspect alleges the victim got out of his car and approached him.
The suspect yelled at him to “Get in your car, I will shoot you, get in your car,” according to the court records, while the victim allegedly replied with “shoot me, shoot me.”
By then, the suspect had pulled out a handgun, according to court records. He alleges the victim tried to reach into his car window to grab the gun. The suspect ultimately fired one shot, hitting the 48-year-old man in the neck, according to court records.
Lacey police and fire department crews attempted to revive Park, but he died at the scene, according to court records. Two children were in the victim’s car at the time of the shooting, court records show.
What happened prior to the shooting?
Court records give this account of what happened:
Around 8:50 p.m. Friday, the suspect was returning to his home in Lacey after picking up dinner at Chipotle for he and his wife.
As he approached the Marvin Road overpass that crosses Interstate 5, he alleges that the driver of a gray Tesla suddenly cut in front of him and his black GMC Terrain. He honked his horn and flipped off the other driver.
The suspect alleges the victim then deliberately slowed down in front of him, alternating between hitting his brakes and driving slow. The suspect again honked his horn and flipped him off.
The Tesla driver then moved over to a far-right lane and then sped up to pass the suspect and flipped him off. The suspect then alleges that the other driver maneuvered his vehicle behind his and drove aggressively. The suspect then alternated between driving slow and fast before the two drivers were alongside each other on Marvin Road.
The victim motioned to the suspect to roll down his window. The suspect complied and allegedly yelled an expletive at the other driver. The victim then got out of his vehicle.
The suspect had a concealed carry permit for the handgun, according to court records. After the shooting, the suspect called 911 and dispatchers asked him to check on the victim. He approached the man, shook him and called out, “Sir, sir,” court records say.
The suspect refused to perform CPR on the man, court records allege. Lacey police detained the 24-year-old at the scene and ultimately took him into custody.
This story was originally published December 22, 2025 at 1:42 PM.
