In the early morning hours of February 4, 2017, the life of Jason Emery, a 37-year-old White/Caucasian male, was tragically cut short in his Tacoma, Washington home. What began as a dispute over personal belongings with a former roommate escalated into a fatal confrontation. Deputies were called to the residence in the 4700 block of 64th Street East around 5 a.m. and discovered Emery unresponsive, sitting against a wall with a single gunshot wound to his abdomen.
Despite attempts to render aid, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:46 a.m.
The investigation swiftly led to two suspects: Scott Allen Wheeler, 31, Emery’s former roommate, and Allen Vintora Maae, also 31. It was revealed that Wheeler had enlisted Maae to accompany him to Emery's home to retrieve some of his possessions. An argument ensued, during which Wheeler attempted to force his way into the house while Emery tried to keep the door shut. Witnesses reported that Maae fired a warning shot before a second, fatal shot was fired. A witness recounted hearing Emery ask, "Are you gonna shoot me in the stomach?" just before the final shot.
Both Wheeler and Maae were arrested and initially charged with first-degree murder, with Maae also facing a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm. They were held on a $2 million bail each. The case, however, did not go to trial as both men later accepted plea deals. Maae, the gunman, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and received a sentence of 17 years and six months in prison. Wheeler pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and was sentenced to eight years and one month.
During sentencing, differing accounts of the event were presented, with the defense suggesting an element of self-defense, claiming Emery had struck Wheeler with a hammer. Prosecutors acknowledged that the situation was complex, with multiple versions of the story from those involved, and noted that drugs were a pervasive factor in the lives of many connected to the case. Emery was remembered as a man who had studied at Washington State University, worked in the computer field, and was a father to a young daughter. He had also been a caregiver for his mother following her stroke.
