In the late hours of June 9, 2023, a young life was abruptly cut short in Bremerton, Washington. DeShawn Lamar Wild-Kirkwood, a 23-year-old White/Caucasian male, was fatally shot, leaving a community to grapple with the violent loss. The incident that led to his death unfolded in a parking lot on Wheaton Way, where an altercation between three individuals escalated with tragic consequences.
According to initial police reports, the three were together in the parking lot when a physical
confrontation began. Wild-Kirkwood reportedly threw a punch at another man, causing him to fall. Shortly after, a different individual, a 22-year-old man from Port Orchard, allegedly shot the man who had been struck by Wild-Kirkwood, causing serious injuries. In the ensuing chaos, Wild-Kirkwood was also shot. He was later found at the former site of Harrison Hospital, having succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.
In the immediate aftermath, law enforcement arrested the 22-year-old Port Orchard man, charging him with first-degree assault for the shooting of the injured third man. His bail was set at $1 million. However, he was not charged in connection with the death of DeShawn Lamar Wild-Kirkwood.
Investigators have indicated that the third individual involved in the altercation, the same man who was injured, is believed to be the one who likely shot Wild-Kirkwood. As of the initial reports, however, no charges had been filed against him for the homicide. The investigation into the precise sequence of events and the ultimate responsibility for Wild-Kirkwood's death remains ongoing, leaving friends, family, and the wider community awaiting clear answers and the full measure of justice.
