Dennis Clark III and the 2013 Federal Way Mass Shooting
Overview
Dennis Clark III was responsible for a mass shooting that killed four people at the Pinewood Village Apartments in Federal Way, Washington, on April 21, 2013. Clark, who was 27 years old, began the violence by killing his live-in girlfriend inside their apartment. He then moved through the apartment complex, killing two men in the parking lot and another resident inside a neighboring apartment.
The shootings occurred at approximately 9:35 p.m. in the 33300 block of 18th Lane South, near South 333rd Street and Pacific Highway South. Police officers responding to numerous emergency calls encountered Clark while the attack was still unfolding. The confrontation ended when officers shot and killed him after police said he repeatedly reached toward a handgun despite commands to stop.
The Killing of Justine Elizabeth Baez
The first victim was Clark’s girlfriend, 24-year-old Justine Elizabeth Baez. Baez and Clark lived together in an apartment at Pinewood Village. Investigators determined that Clark shot Baez in the head inside their residence on the night of April 21, 2013.
The killing was described by Federal Way police as a domestic violence homicide. Although the precise argument or event that immediately preceded the shooting was not publicly established, authorities found evidence that Clark had previously been involved in domestic disturbances.
Baez had attended Highline Community College. After killing her, Clark armed himself and left the apartment, carrying the violence into the surrounding complex.
Shootings in the Parking Lot
After leaving the apartment, Clark entered the parking area and encountered 23-year-old Ceasar A. Valdovinos and 47-year-old Bradley A. Fischer. Reports indicated that an altercation occurred before Clark opened fire on the two men.
Valdovinos suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the torso. Fischer was also shot and killed in the parking lot. Authorities did not identify either man as having any known connection to the domestic dispute between Clark and Baez.
The killings appear to have occurred as residents began hearing gunshots and calling 911. Investigators later believed Clark was attempting to eliminate people who had seen him or could report his movements.
The Killing of Roland L. Scobee
Another apartment resident, 62-year-old Roland L. Scobee, heard the disturbance and attempted to contact emergency services. Scobee retreated into his nearby apartment and called 911 to report the gunfire.
Clark followed him, forced his way into the apartment and fatally shot him. Police believed Scobee was targeted because he had witnessed part of the attack and was attempting to summon help.
The killing of Scobee demonstrated that the violence had expanded beyond the original domestic homicide. By that point, Clark was moving deliberately through the complex and attacking residents who encountered him or attempted to alert authorities.
Confirmed Victims
- Justine Elizabeth Baez, 24 — Clark’s live-in girlfriend. She was shot and killed inside their apartment at Pinewood Village in Federal Way, Washington, on April 21, 2013.
- Ceasar A. Valdovinos, 23 — Shot in the torso and killed in the apartment complex parking lot at approximately 9:35 p.m. on April 21, 2013.
- Bradley A. Fischer, 47 — Shot and killed alongside Valdovinos in the Pinewood Village parking lot on April 21, 2013.
- Roland L. Scobee, 62 — Followed into his nearby apartment and shot while attempting to call 911 on April 21, 2013.
Police Response
Federal Way police officers arrived while the shooting was still in progress. Clark was initially encountered in a stairwell at the apartment complex. Police said he ignored commands and retreated on foot.
During the confrontation, a handgun was on the ground near Clark. Officers stated that he continued reaching toward the weapon despite repeated orders to stop. Eight Federal Way police officers opened fire, killing Clark at the scene and ending the attack.
The officers who discharged their weapons were placed on paid administrative leave, which was standard procedure following an officer-involved shooting. The Auburn Police Department conducted the investigation into the police shooting, while the Renton Police Department assisted with the release of information.
Weapons Recovered
Investigators recovered two firearms associated with Clark at the scene. One was a .40-caliber Taurus semiautomatic pistol. The other was a Mossberg 500 pump-action shotgun fitted with a pistol grip and a side-mounted ammunition carrier.
Clark possessed a concealed pistol license and reportedly had multiple firearms registered in his name. Police were already aware that he frequently carried firearms. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives examined the weapons to determine whether they had been connected to any other crimes.
Previous Domestic Violence Incidents
Although Clark did not have an extensive criminal record, police records showed previous incidents involving threats, harassment and domestic disputes. Federal Way officers had responded to at least two earlier calls involving verbal domestic violence, although Clark was not arrested during those incidents.
On March 23, 2013, approximately one month before the mass shooting, police were called to an apartment in the 32000 block of Military Road South after neighbors heard a woman screaming for help. The woman reportedly had attempted to end a relationship with Clark.
During the dispute, Clark allegedly tore the woman’s jacket and attempted to take her telephone. No injuries were reported. Clark left in a vehicle registered to Justine Baez before officers could speak with him. Police later located the vehicle but did not make contact with Clark.
Earlier Legal Incidents
In 2009, Clark was arrested after harassing a Kent police dog that was secured inside a patrol vehicle. Authorities said he repeatedly provoked the dog while its handler was attending to another situation. Clark was legally carrying a firearm when he was arrested.
Clark later pleaded guilty to the harassment charge in Kent Municipal Court in 2012 and paid a monetary penalty.
Clark had also faced a fourth-degree assault allegation connected to a 2002 incident. According to juvenile court information, Clark was accused of shooting a teenage girl in the buttocks with a BB gun after she ended a relationship with him. Charges were filed in 2003 but were dismissed after Clark turned 18.
Aftermath
The April 21, 2013, attack left five people dead when Clark was included in the total. Four victims were murdered before police killed the gunman. At the time, officials described it as the deadliest shooting in the history of Federal Way.
Residents placed flowers, candles and messages of condolence near the entrance of Pinewood Village Apartments. City officials arranged a community meeting to provide assistance and information to residents who had witnessed or been affected by the violence.
Federal Way Police Chief Brian Wilson characterized the incident as an extremely dangerous domestic violence call that rapidly developed into a mass shooting. The killings highlighted the potential for domestic abuse to escalate into violence against relatives, neighbors, witnesses and responding officers.
Dennis Clark III died at the scene on April 21, 2013. Because he was killed during the police confrontation, he was never arrested, prosecuted or required to answer in court for the murders of Justine Baez, Ceasar Valdovinos, Bradley Fischer and Roland Scobee.
