In a tragic turn of events on a Friday afternoon in Tacoma, Washington, Leonard Strickland, a 49-year-old Black / African American man, lost his life in a violent altercation. The incident, which occurred on October 10, 2025, in the 3700 block of South Orchard Street, escalated from a fistfight to a fatal shootout. Strickland was rushed to St. Joseph Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the head but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed that he died from multiple gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide.
The investigation into the shooting led police to Nicholas Patrick Kane, a 40-year-old man who was an ex-roommate of Strickland and the ex-husband of his own girlfriend. Kane himself had called 911, claiming he had been in a fight with Strickland, who he alleged had assaulted him with brass knuckles and shot at him. According to charging documents, the two men had agreed to a physical fight and moved their vehicles before the confrontation turned deadly. Kane informed detectives that after the initial altercation, he retrieved a gun from his car, and a shootout ensued.
Witnesses reported seeing a man matching Kane's description firing a gun in the area of a black car before driving away. Kane allegedly told investigators that after the initial exchange of gunfire, he drove his vehicle down a hill while they continued to shoot at each other. He then reportedly reloaded his magazine and continued firing, eventually striking Strickland. Police detained Kane in the 1600 block of North Huson Street. At the scene, detectives found Strickland's empty firearm on his chest, along with two live rounds. Shell casings found at the scene reportedly matched Kane's weapon, and spent casings from two different guns were discovered where the initial fight took place.
Initially charged with first-degree assault and drive-by shooting, the charges against Nicholas Patrick Kane were elevated to first-degree murder after Strickland's death. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf, and his bail was set at $750,000. Kane is being held at the Pierce County Jail. The investigation suggests that a fistfight between the two men escalated, leading to Kane allegedly leaving and then returning to shoot at Strickland. According to court records, Kane does not have any prior criminal convictions.
