27th Tacoma Homicide of 2020: Scott Jonathon Univer

Scott Jonathon Univer was not doing well. The 40-year-old had been struggling with mental illness and on the morning of November 15, 2020 he was in an apartment parking lot. He had on him multiple IDs that were not his. A 33-year-old man approached him. The two got into an argument that turned into a fistfight. Then the 33-year-old pulled out a pistol and shot Scott in the chest. Police arrived and attempted CPR, but Scott died on the scene becoming Tacoma’s 27th homicide of 2020.

Scott was known in his family as a sweet, kind, and loving man who often asked how others in his family were doing. He was someone who loved to play with children. And he was something who struggled a lot. There is a void in the lives of those who knew and loved Scott. It’s not something that goes away, but something they’ll eventually learn to live with.

Mental illness is an invisible disease that impacts so many. Not only the person suffering from the illness, not just those who know and care about the person, but those who encounter that person as well. All too often when I write about Tacoma homicides they involve an individual suffering from mental illness. And each time I imagine a better world where mental health care is as easy and readily available as a pack of gum.

As always, the comments section is moderated and reserved for those who knew Scott and want to share thoughts or memories of him. I was also unable to find a photo of him. If you have one you'd like to share, please email me at jackcameronis@gmail.com

• Jack Cameron