Terran Ronaldo Faidley Jr. is remembered by his loved ones for his vibrant spirit and the profound joy he brought into their lives. A 31-year-old man from Lakewood, Washington, Terran was a cherished son, brother, and friend whose positive influence was felt by everyone around him. His family reflects on the strong bonds they shared and the countless happy moments they experienced together.
Though his future was stolen from him, the memories of his laughter, kindness, and unwavering presence endure as a lasting source of comfort and strength for those who knew and loved him.
In the first minutes of Sunday, October 4, 2026, the nightlife of downtown Tacoma was still alive with energy. People were leaving bars and restaurants, and the streets around the theater district were filled with pedestrians. At approximately 12:27 a.m., the sound of gunfire suddenly shattered the night in the 800 block of Pacific Avenue. The Tacoma Police Department was inundated with calls reporting that shots had been fired, and officers were immediately dispatched to the scene near the intersection with South 8th Street. When they arrived, they were met with a chaotic scene and discovered two men on the ground, both suffering from critical gunshot wounds.
Officers began performing life-saving measures on the two men while securing the area. Emergency medical personnel from the Tacoma Fire Department arrived moments later, but the injuries were too severe. Both men were pronounced deceased at the scene. The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office later identified one of the victims as Terran Ronaldo Faidley Jr. An autopsy confirmed he had died from multiple gunshot wounds. The second man killed in the shooting was identified as 30-year-old Elijah Dominick Hylton, who also died from multiple gunshot wounds.
As the investigation into the double homicide began, detectives learned that the violence had injured a third person. A woman had also sustained a gunshot wound during the incident. Her injury was considered non-life-threatening, and she had been transported to a local hospital for treatment before all the first responders had arrived. Detectives and crime scene technicians cordoned off the busy downtown street, a major thoroughfare in the city, to collect forensic evidence and speak with potential witnesses. A police spokesperson noted that many people were in the area at the time of the shooting and strongly urged anyone who saw or heard anything, or who might have cell phone video of the incident, to come forward and speak with investigators.
The Tacoma Police Department is leading the homicide investigation. In the days and weeks following the shooting, authorities worked to piece together the sequence of events that led to the gunfire. As of late October 2026, no arrests have been made in connection with the murders of Terran Faidley Jr. and Elijah Hylton. Police have not released any information regarding a possible motive for the shooting or descriptions of any potential suspects. The incident was a stark reminder of the gun violence impacting the city and prompted renewed conversations among local business owners and residents about public safety in the downtown core, particularly during weekend nights.
The case remains an active and open investigation. While Terran’s family and friends grieve the sudden and violent loss of their loved one, many questions about the night he was killed remain unanswered. They are left to navigate their sorrow while hoping for a breakthrough that will bring justice for Terran. Authorities have asked that anyone with information about the shooting call 911 to speak with detectives.
