Jake Red was twenty-eight years old. He was born in New Orleans, the oldest of four children. He was funny and outgoing. People tended to like Jake Red when they met him. On August 12th he was hanging out with friends when one of them accused him of sleeping with that friend’s children’s mother. He hadn’t and said so. The conversation then drifted to other topics. Later in the day, at around 5pm, the friend pulled up alongside a vehicle Jake was riding in. He asked Jake why he wasn’t answering his cellphone. The two vehicles pulled into a parking lot on South 64th and Yakima so the three men could talk. The friend again accused Jake of being involved with that man’s children’s mother. Jake again denied it. The friend then retrieved a handgun and said, “I think you’re playing me.” And then he started shooting.
The man in the SUV with Jake returned fire with his own gun as the friend fled. The man then began to drive to get Jake help. Police arrived moments later, but by that time Jake had died from gunshot wounds to his neck, back, and stomach. Jake is the twenty-first Tacoma homicide this year.
Jake’s killer was found a few hours later hiding under a vehicle where he shot a police dog before being shot himself by police sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.
The resulting media coverage of Jake’s murder and its aftermath focused more on Ranja the police dog than Jake Red. And while I’m sure there’s a real loss within the police department in Ranja’s death, there is no comparison to be made to the depth of loss of Jake Red. Jake had a family, friends, and loved ones. He loved children though he never had a chance to have any himself.
The comments section is reserved for friends and family of Jake Red to share thoughts and memories of him. He is not forgotten.
- Jack Cameron
tacomastories.com 
I didn’t know Jake but my heart goes out to his family and friends. Reading his story here really touched my heart. I remember hearing about the dog many times in the media but never heard anything about Jake. It’s a shame that people take peoples lives so easily nowadays.
You’ll be writing about my brother soon. James Wamsley October 2020 RIP
I will be. Amy, please feel free to email me at jackcameronis@gmail.com with any information about your brother and/or a photo you might want me to use for the article. Thanks and sorry for your loss.
Jake came into my life at a time I was so unsure of life itself. He truly got me through it all. I wish I had the chance to thank him but he always knew I loved him, I made sure of that. And vice versa. I truly miss his loving spirit and his never ending jokes. He was someone that you could always count on and his loyalty was never ending. A lot of people truly lost someone special. Love you Jake! Forever in our hearts!