A man is dead and another man is in jail on murder charges following a road rage incident in Lacey on Friday, Dec. 19.
Tucker S. Shirk, 24, of Lacey, is accused of fatally shooting Eddie Y. Park, 48, also of Lacey, in the 2400 block of Marvin Road Northeast.
Shirk is reportedly an active duty member of the military and had a concealed carry license at the time of the shooting.
Shirk allegedly called 911 at approximately 8:51 p.m. to report that he was involved in an incident with another man whom he had shot with a firearm.
According to documents filed in Thurston County Superior Court on Monday, Dec. 22, Shirk refused to perform CPR on the man who had been shot.
That man was later identified as Park.
Responding officers with the Lacey Police Department arrived at the scene at approximately 8:54 p.m. and began CPR on Park, who had been shot in the neck and was struggling to breathe.
One of the detectives reportedly “asked in a loud tone about where the shooter was located,” at which point Shirk, standing about 25 years away and “looking nervous,” identified himself as the shooter.
He was detained in handcuffs while Lacey medics took over CPR.
“The Lacey Fire Department continued with lifesaving measures, but Mr. Park was ultimately declared deceased,” the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office stated in the affidavit of probable cause.
When questioned by detectives, Shirk gave his recollection of the events leading up to the shooting. His narrative was repeated by the Thurston County Prosecutor's Office in the affidavit of probable cause.
Shirk allegedly told detectives that he was returning to his Lacey home on Birdseye Avenue Northeast in Lacey after picking up dinner from a restaurant in the 1100 block of Marvin Road Northeast.
He reported that he was driving northbound on Marvin Road Northeast near the bridge and exit lane to southbound Interstate 5 when a grey Tesla suddenly merged out of the exit lane, cutting Shirk off.
Frustrated, Shirk reported that he started honking his horn and flipping off the other driver, who was later identified as Park.
According to Shirk, Park slowed down to 20 mph in a 35 mph zone “on purpose,” then began switching between brake-checking him and “maliciously” driving slowly.
Shirk then reportedly again honked and flipped Park off.
As they continued, Park reportedly moved over into the far right lane, then into a turn lane toward the Lacey dump and dog park, before speeding up to pass him and flip him off.
Park then reportedly maneuvered "aggressively" back behind Shirk’s vehicle, “staying very close to his number in an ‘aggressive’ manner,” according to Shirk.
Shirk said he brake-checked Park twice as they both continued driving on Martin Road Northeast.
The two continued past a roundabout near the 2300 block of Marvin Road Northeast before getting stuck side-by-side behind traffic before a crosswalk in the 2400 block of Marvin Road Northeast. Shirk was reportedly in the left lane, while Park was in the right.
Shirk reported that Park had his driver’s side window rolled down and had motioned for Shirk to roll his window down.
Shirk reported that he rolled his passenger window down and yelled expletives at Park.
Park then got out of his car “aggressively,” according to Shirk.
Shirk allegedly said he “ immediately” drew his Shadow Systems MR920 from the front holster on his belt under his shirt, pointed it at Park out the open passenger window, and said “Get in your car. I will shoot you. Get in your car.”
Shirk allegedly said he repeated the command four to five times.
According to Shirk, Park said “shoot me, shoot me,” and reached into Shirk’s open window and began “pawing” at the gun.
Shirk reported that Park’s hand didn’t touch the gun outside of a “graze” with his fingertips, according to court documents.
Shirk reported that he pulled the gun back towards his body, and that Park began to step back from Shirk’s car.
Shirk then allegedly fired a single shot.
He allegedly told a detective that “he was not aiming any particular place, as the distance between them left the male still very close to his vehicle.”
When asked by a detective if he had thought to shoot Park while he was reaching for the gun, Shirk allegedly said “he had a brief thought to shoot the driver then, but even in that moment thought that he did not want to shoot the man.”
Shirk allegedly said “his adrenaline was high, and he perceived ongoing hostility from the driver.”
Park had no visible weapons on his person at the time, Shirk confirmed to a detective.
Immediately after the shooting, Shirk said, he put his car in park, stepped out, and called 911. He reportedly unloaded the remaining 16 rounds from his firearm while on the phone with dispatchers. He then reportedly stepped 15 to 20 feet away from the vehicles to await police, saying he didn’t want to be holding the weapon when they arrived.
When asked by dispatch if Park was breathing, Shirk said he approached Park, shook him, said “sir, sir,” and saw “what he observed to be agonal breathing,” according to court documents.
At that point, Shirk said he noticed two children in Park’s car -– one in the front seat and one in the backseat.
The children were reportedly still in the car when Lacey officers arrived.
Several bystanders began to exit their own vehicles, but did not interact with Shirk.
Shirk reportedly told detectives that this was his “first self-defense situation,” describing how he has had a concealed carry permit for two-to-three years and has never been in a situation where he “had to use it.” He reported that he had military and concealed carry experience, and had expressed instant “panic” after the shooting.
A detective described Shirk’s demeanor during his interview as “calm,” noting how he described the incident as self-defense.
His description of the road rage leading up to the shooting was reportedly consistent with witness statements from two other drivers, according to court documents.
Shirk was booked into the Thurston County Jail on Saturday, Dec. 20, after being interviewed by detectives.
A Thurston County Superior Court judge found probable cause Monday, Dec. 22, to charge Shirk with 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.
The same judge also revoked bail for Shirk, meaning he will remain in custody until his case is resolved, or his conditions of release are changed.
Arraignment was scheduled for Friday, Dec. 26.
The Lacey Police Department asks anyone with information or video in relation to this incident, to call 360-704-2740 and reference case 2025-6217.
