Tacoma police are investigating the suspicious death of 12-year-old Preston James Hemingway-Lux, who was found dead Friday afternoon at a senior living facility in South Tacoma.
The incident occurred in the 4000 block of South Lawrence Street, near the intersection with South 40th Street. Police and fire personnel pronounced the boy dead at the scene upon arrival.
Detectives and crime scene technicians are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, though the official cause remains undetermined pending the medical examiner’s report.
According to residents, the tragedy unfolded inside Vintage at Tacoma, a senior living community for residents aged 55 and older. Authorities have not disclosed why the boy was present at the facility or his connection to residents or staff.
The boy’s sister, Tiara Woodruff, described Preston as “the perfect son, brother, and friend” on a fundraising platform. “He was an exceptional student, an athlete who excelled in basketball, someone with a bright future ahead,” Woodruff said.
“Sadly, at this time, we still don’t know the cause of death. We are left questioning what might have led to this moment,” she added.
Judy, a facility resident who returned from shopping around 3 p.m. Friday, described the emergency response scene. “From 43rd to our driveway, there were nine police cars,” she said. “I saw a police car, fire trucks, and an ambulance.”
The resident expressed her emotional reaction to the tragedy. “I cried. I thought it was the saddest thing I ever heard, someone who hadn’t even started his life, and what was he doing here?”
The investigation comes as the South Tacoma area experiences heightened concern following a separate violent incident. On Sunday, police responded to a double shooting on the 4000 block of Warner Street, where officers found two gunshot victims with one pronounced dead at the scene.
Tacoma police announced Monday that an adult male was arrested and is being held for investigation of murder and assault in connection with the Warner Street shooting.
The proximity of both incidents has left residents on edge. “It’s like do we keep our doors and windows shut, stay indoors, or what?” Judy asked, expressing community safety concerns.
The suspicious death at a senior living facility raises questions about facility security protocols and how a child gained access to the premises. Senior living communities typically maintain controlled access to protect elderly residents.
Authorities continue investigating the circumstances that led to the boy’s presence at the facility and the events that resulted in his death. The medical examiner’s findings will be crucial in determining whether criminal charges are warranted.
