Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist charged Duprea Romon Wilson, 19, with manslaughter in the first degree, assault in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, kidnapping in the first degree, burglary in the first degree and assault in the second degree. Wilson and two other men forced their way into a Lakewood couple’s home, tied them up and stole several items. The husband shot one of the suspects, Taijon Vorhees, who later died. Wilson pleaded not guilty this afternoon and is being held in lieu of $3 million bail. The other surviving suspect is still at-large.

“Gang violence spills beyond any known boundaries,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “Our gang unit has successfully reduced gang violence in Pierce County, but there is still work to be done. Luckily, the homeowner wasn’t the one who was shot.”

On Nov. 18, 2014 at 9:30 p.m., the suspects knocked on the victims’ door. When the husband answered the door, the men forced their way in. The wife was nude in the bathtub, and the suspects pulled her out. The attackers tied up the couple and ransacked the house. At some point, the suspects went outside and the husband was able to free himself. He locked the front door and untied his wife. They retreated to their bedroom and the husband retrieved his handgun from his lockbox. As the attackers were forcing their way back into the home, they fired a gunshot. Once back inside, the attackers went into the bedroom. The husband fired at them, striking Vorhees twice, once in the abdomen and once in the leg. The attackers fled.

The men rode in their car for a considerable amount of time, and did not seek medical care for the wounded attacker. He died and the other two men dumped his body at a Federal Way apartment complex. Wilson called 911 and reported a shooting at the complex.

The following morning, Wilson was arrested on an unrelated charge and booked into the King County Jail. In his pockets, officers found jewelry belonging to the victims.

Wilson is a well-known member of the Seattle “Down with the Crew” Black Gangster Disciples gang. According to witnesses, the attackers were told they would find marijuana and cash at the victims’ home. Police suspect they robbed the wrong house.

Charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent unless he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.