Teenager Arrested After Brandishing Loaded Firearm on Sounder Transit Train in Puyallup Washington

An 18 year old faces felony charges after pulling a cocked handgun on a Puyallup transit train following a dispute over alcohol consumption.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 9:48 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The News Tribune

A Violent Confrontation on the Sounder Transit Line

A routine commute between Tacoma and Seattle was disrupted on Thursday when an 18 year old passenger allegedly brandished a loaded weapon inside a Sounder Transit train. The incident began near downtown Puyallup after a security officer observed the individual acting erratically and consuming alcohol in violation of transit policies. According to charging documents, the situation escalated rapidly when the suspect, after initially complying with a request to discard his drink, suddenly produced a pistol from his clothing and cocked the weapon in view of other riders.

Emergency Evacuation at Stewart Avenue Station

The alarming display of a firearm prompted an immediate emergency response as the train arrived at the station located in the 200 block of West Stewart Avenue. Recognizing the potential for a mass casualty event, the on-board security officer successfully directed all passengers to evacuate the railcar before alerting emergency services. According to witness reports, the sight of the armed man caused significant panic among the commuters. Law enforcement officers arrived shortly thereafter, finding the suspect on the platform where he was detained without further violence.

Arrest and Discovery of Illegal Contraband

Upon apprehending the individual, officers recovered a pistol equipped with a 10 round magazine containing several live rounds, including one that was ejected from the chamber during the search. According to police statements, the suspect exhibited clear signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and the smell of alcohol on his breath. A further search of his person revealed a white substance that the suspect identified as "molly." Subsequent testing confirmed the material was MDMA, leading to additional felony charges for the possession of a controlled substance.