Anjelia Hylton, a 46-year-old Black/African American woman, was tragically killed on September 26, 2021, in Des Moines, Washington. Her death was the result of a shooting that occurred outside the La Familia Sports Pub & Lounge on Pacific Highway South. The incident, which claimed the lives of two other individuals and injured two more, began with a dispute inside the bar that escalated and spilled out into the parking lot after closing time.
In the ensuing chaos, multiple fights broke
out, and a barrage of gunfire erupted. Anjelia Hylton was an innocent bystander in the altercation and was fatally struck by a bullet to the back. The other victims who lost their lives were identified as 26-year-old Ezra Taylor and 32-year-old Antoine Matthews. Investigators recovered 31 cartridge casings from the scene, and forensic analysis later determined that the same 9mm firearm was used to kill all three victims.
Des Moines Police detectives utilized video surveillance, cellphone footage, and witness statements to identify a suspect in the triple homicide. On October 25, 2021, after police issued a media release seeking his whereabouts, Joshua Puloka, a 46-year-old SeaTac man also known as Joshua Everybodytalksabout, turned himself in to authorities. Puloka was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the deadly shooting.
In May 2024, a King County jury convicted Joshua Puloka on multiple counts, including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and first-degree assault. On June 21, 2024, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Puloka had a significant criminal history, which included a prior conviction for first-degree manslaughter.
