Son Kills Mother, 3 Others Who Tried to Help in Gig Harbor

Suspect shot dead by police after stabbing rampage in Washington state

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A 32-year-old Washington state man allegedly stabbed his 52-year-old mother to death before he killed three other women who intervened and tried to help the victim, according to authorities. The suspect, Aleksandr Aleksandro Shablykin, was shot dead by a responding Pierce County sheriff's deputy.

Why it matters

The tragic incident highlights the devastating impact of mental health and substance abuse issues, as well as the risks that can arise when restraining orders are not properly enforced. It also underscores the bravery of community members who tried to intervene and help the victims.

The details

The carnage unfolded shortly after 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at a home in Gig Harbor, about 50 miles southwest of Seattle. Deputies were responding to a report that Shablykin, who was under a no-contact order, was at the home. While en route, witnesses called 911 to report that Shablykin was stabbing multiple people. A deputy arrived and confronted Shablykin, who was still stabbing people, before opening fire and killing him. The victims were identified as Shablykin's mother, Zoya Anatolyevna Shabliykina, and three other women who lived in the area: Joanne Kathleen Brandani, 59, Stephanie Killilea, 67, and Louise Sandra Talley, 81.

  • The incident unfolded shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2026.
  • Deputies were responding to the home around 9:30 a.m. to serve a no-contact order on Shablykin.

The players

Aleksandr Aleksandro Shablykin

A 32-year-old Washington state man who allegedly stabbed his mother to death and killed three other women who tried to intervene and help.

Zoya Anatolyevna Shabliykina

The 52-year-old mother of Aleksandr Shablykin, who was allegedly stabbed to death by her son.

Joanne Kathleen Brandani

A 59-year-old woman who lived in the Gig Harbor area and was killed by Shablykin.

Stephanie Killilea

A 67-year-old woman who lived in the Gig Harbor area and was killed by Shablykin.

Louise Sandra Talley

An 81-year-old woman who lived in the Gig Harbor area and was killed by Shablykin while trying to intervene and help.

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What they’re saying

“That was not my brother that did that … It was something else, something evil,”

— Anastasiya Shabliykina, Suspect's sister and victim's daughter (KING)

“Please, no, no, not that,”

— Robert Knowles, Anastasiya Shabliykina's partner (The Seattle Times)

What’s next

Authorities are investigating the incident and the suspect's mental health and substance abuse history to determine what led to the tragic events.

The takeaway

This devastating incident underscores the critical need for better mental health support and resources, as well as the importance of enforcing restraining orders to protect vulnerable individuals. It also highlights the bravery of community members who tried to intervene and help, tragically losing their lives in the process.