32nd Tacoma Homicide of 2023: Robert Grace
On the evening of December 27, 2023 64-year-old Robert Lee Grace was at a homeless encampment under Interstate 5 on East Bay Street and East 28th, just north of the Emerald Queen Casino. Being late December it was getting cold and Robert had firewood to share. After offering firewood to one man, he went to the tent of a 63-year-old-man. Surveillance video shows him enter the tent at just after 11pm. About a minute later Robert staggers out of the tent clutching his chest. He walks a few steps on the sidewalk before collapsing.
The man inside the tent did absolutely nothing to help Robert, though the video does show someone attempting CPR. First responders arrived a short time later and transported him to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead becoming the 32nd and last Tacoma homicide of 2023.
This is the third Tacoma murder in a row where someone trying to help was killed.
Police contacted the occupant of the tent and arrested him for Robert’s murder. Though the man claimed self-defense, the jury did not believe him as it was established that Robert had been offering firewood to people and not a threat in any way. Robert’s killer was convicted and sentenced to over 18 years in prison.
Robert was free spirited and strong willed. He had a son. He enjoyed fishing and if you had a project or a car problem, he’d be happy to help out. Giving out firewood to the cold and homeless was just another example of how Robert operated in this world.
Of course, I can only tell you what I learn from my research about Robert. To know more about him, we need stories from his friends and family. That is why the comment section is reserved for those who knew Robert and want to share any thoughts or memories of him.
- Jack Cameron
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