On Friday night around 8pm, someone living near South 34th & Madison heard a gunshot. Looking out the window, they saw a man on the ground and two men standing over him. The two men walked away, leaving Terrance Sand dead from a single gunshot wound.
Terrance Sand was 42 years old. He’d been living in a boarded up house near where he died. So far there has been very little reported about this shooting. There is currently no description of the two men and their whereabouts are unknown.
A more jaded person might think that the lack of information and the fact that suspects haven’t been caught has something to do with the fact that Terrance Sand was essentially homeless. The truth is that these sort of homicides are among the most difficult to solve. People without homes often have little to no contact with family. Friends tend to no have fixed addresses or other means of contact. Jobs tend to be sporadic. Living off the grid whether by choice or circumstance makes you fairly anonymous.
This killing reminds me of the May 2007 murder of Steven Chennells. Chennells had been found under an overpass and had been homeless for some time.
I’m hoping that more information will come to light in the coming days and weeks. I will update this post when appropriate.
UPDATE: Police have arrested a 28-year-old man in connection with Terrance Sand’s murder. Charging documents indicate that Terrance knocked on a neighbor’s door and was asked to leave. Directly afterward, the suspect, who had been staying at that house, approached him and a fight broke out. Witness statements say the suspect punched Terrance repeatedly and then shot him once, killing him.
If you happened to be someone who knew Terrance Sand and you’d like to talk about what sort of person he was or memories you have of him, please feel free to leave a comment.
One note, I moderate all comments so they will only appear after I have approved them. This is to stop any threats or hate-speak.
-Jack Cameron
tacomastories.com 
First I would like to thank you for the opportunity to make a comment in regards to my dear friend Terry Sands. I would like to start with the fact that Terry Sand had actually lived, for over ten years in this neighbor hood of 35th and Maddison everyone there new him well. He shared a home with the Barshaw family, for many years. It absolutley breaks my heart to hear him called a homeless person. The Barshaw family had recently seperated and eventually divorced and went seperate ways. Those who loved them wanted to help. Terry Sand tried to keep the house from going into forcloseure. As well as a few other friends. some of us failed Terry’s Quest. For me this was home away from home I Loved the Barshaw family and have no immdetate family here they became family to me and there is no place like home. Later we had some city codes the house and property needed to meet. That is what Terry Sands was still in the area for. He knew the city people and officers he was working with. Secondly and far more important is that that Terry began having problems with some young gangster in the hood which police had been called or problem was reported. He was crying out for help. At one point someone beat him with a bat. They hurt him brutally. He did drink but was harmless. They were just picking on him. Terry was very kind, He loved the kids, the animals in the nieghbor hood, and they loved him. Most everyone at his funeral were from the hood. As many times that it was reported of these problems his terrible death should have been prevented. He is so missed, his death has been a great loss.
Allen Myers. I also knew terry very well,and what Ms.Ellenberger has stated above,is yet so true of this.For terry was a skilled musician on his guitar,he also was trying to save the house,the state and city of tacoma made it impossible for him to update,.do to the codes that were inforced,.,although I spoke to terrty just hours before he was murdedred,and he did say that tghe code enforcement was going to work better with him on monday.,,;which never did take place,.R.I.P terry,love ya brother,.kingofkings,,
I knew Terry Sand. He was the father of my 26-year-old daughter. I had spoken to him a few days before he died. He was wanting to get in touch with his daughter. It’s sad that the first time she saw him since the age of 2 was at his funeral.
I was Terry Sand’s nephew, his sister Judy was my mother. Terry live with myself, my mother and my younger brothers after I got out of high school in 2003. My friends and I always referred to him as “Uncle T”. I also too remember how good he was at playing his guitar although I didn’t appreciate his skill at the time. I will always remember him wearing his black “leather” jacket. I unfortunately was not able to attend his funeral and did not find out about his death till a year later. This 211 is for you Uncle T…..R.I.P General