In the late summer of 2019, a domestic dispute in a South Hill, Washington neighborhood escalated into a fatal act of violence, claiming the life of 33-year-old Brian Ray Ragan. On the morning of August 23rd, Ragan, a White male, was at the home of his estranged wife when a heated argument erupted between them. The conflict had reportedly been ongoing from the previous night.
The confrontation took a turn when Ragan's 20-year-old stepson, Tylor Saegert, became involved.
After the initial argument, Ragan left the residence on a bicycle. Saegert, along with two other individuals, pursued Ragan in a Dodge Charger. Witnesses in the neighborhood grew concerned and placed several 911 calls as they observed the car chasing the bicycle. The two other men in the car with Saegert later told investigators they exited the vehicle when they saw that Saegert was armed with a gun.
The chase concluded tragically when Saegert fired multiple shots at Ragan. Ragan was struck by a gunshot to the back of the head and was discovered in the backyard of a nearby home. He was transported to Tacoma General Hospital in critical condition and succumbed to his injuries several days later. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office officially ruled his death a homicide.
Hours after the shooting, Tylor Saegert turned himself in to law enforcement. Pierce County prosecutors subsequently charged him with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, drive-by shooting, and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. At his arraignment, Saegert pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $1 million. In court, his defense attorney argued that Ragan had been abusive and had broken into the house on the morning of the incident. It was also noted that Saegert had a criminal record, including convictions for burglary and unlawful possession of a firearm.
