On a Tuesday afternoon in Spanaway, Washington, 35-year-old male, Dominique "Dom" Calata, a deputy with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, was part of a SWAT team operation that turned fatal. On March 15, 2022, the team was serving a high-risk warrant on a convicted felon at a mobile home park off Pacific Avenue. The warrant was for a 40-year-old man wanted for second-degree assault.
As the SWAT team approached, they were met with gunfire from the suspect.
In the ensuing exchange of fire, Deputy Calata was struck in the head. Another member of the team, Sergeant Rich Scaniffe, was also shot and seriously injured. Both deputies were transported to St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma. Despite medical efforts, Deputy Calata did not regain consciousness and succumbed to his injuries the following day, on March 16, 2022. Sergeant Scaniffe underwent surgery and ultimately survived his injuries.
The suspect who opened fire on the deputies was killed during the incident. Bodycam footage released later showed a rapid exchange of gunfire within moments of the SWAT team confronting the suspect, Jeremy Dayton. The investigation into the shooting was handled by the Pierce County Force Investigation Team, which is standard procedure for incidents involving the use of deadly force by law enforcement. As the suspect was killed at the scene, there were no subsequent arrests in the death of Deputy Calata.
