3Rd Teen Held In Spanaway Slayings

SPANAWAY, Pierce County - A third teenage suspect was taken into custody yesterday in the deaths of two Spanaway teens believed shot in retaliation for throwing eggs near gang members.

The 14-year-old was picked up with six other teenage boys in Rainier Valley for questioning and booked at the Remann Hall detention center for investigation of first-degree murder, said Maj. Larry Mock of the Pierce County sheriff's office.

The six other boys were expected to be questioned and released, Mock said.

The 14-year-old boy joined two other youths, ages 13 and 15, also being held at Remann Hall on investigation of first-degree murder. All three are alleged gang members.

Authorities believed they had all suspects in custody.

Michael Welden and Robert Forrest, popular 17-year-old tennis-team members at Spanaway Lake High School, were gunned down late Aug. 25 while they and two others were driving through a Spanaway neighborhood and throwing eggs.

Authorities think some of the eggs landed near a group of gang members standing in a yard outside a home, and a handful of them jumped into a car, gave chase and gunned down Welden and Forrest, Mock said.

A vehicle rolled up behind them with its lights on high beam, and someone fired a rifle shot. Forrest, who was driving, turned down a cross street, and the car followed.

Several more shots were fired, striking Forrest and Welden. Two boys in the back seat ducked and escaped uninjured.

The first two arrests came Thursday, when police picked up the 13- and 15-year-old boys as they and three companions drove by the site of a candlelight vigil for the victims. Police were staked out there because of a tip.

Charges and a decision on whether to ask that they be tried as adults are expected Wednesday, said Deputy Prosecutor Maggie Ross.

It is still unclear what role the three boys allegedly played in the shooting. "We believe the 15-year-old was the shooter, but that's still a matter for investigation," said Mock.

Police had not found the gun, believed to be a 30/30 rifle, or the suspects' car, he said.

News of the first two arrests brought a sense of relief to the school Friday.

"Everyone heard through the grapevine," said guidance counselor Don Mars. "We're just so happy some arrests have been made so we can try to bring this to closure."

But a high-school football jamboree that included Spanaway Lake was canceled Friday night after multiple fights broke out and crowds threatened to overwhelm sheriff's deputies and security guards. One juvenile and one adult were arrested.

Mark Thorgerson, Bethel High School football coach, said the jamboree involved three other Pierce County teams and had drawn a large crowd. Two teams were on the field playing when a concession-stand fight broke out.

Deputies said they had no indication there was any gang involvement in the fights at the stadium, shared by Bethel and Spanaway schools.