Deadly Tacoma shooting stemmed from petty dispute, court records show
Nicholas Morris James Miller, 26, has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm for the April 27 incident, according to court records.
A man was killed and a woman injured, Tacoma police say.
A plea of not guilty was entered on Miller's behalf during his arraignment Thursday afternoon. Pierce County Superior Court Judge TaTeasha Davis set a $2 million bail. Davis prohibited the media from taking photos of Miller's face.
Several members of the victim's family were present during the hearing. The victim's aunt addressed the court, saying her nephew was 'doing great' before he was killed and tried to deescalate the situation.
Deputy prosecuting attorney Dalton Smith said the facts of the case were 'highly alarming.'
'The violence in this case was senseless. It was unnecessary, and it was simply tragic,' he said.
The victim's identity has not been publicly released, pending confirmation from the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office.
Officers were dispatched to the 4800 block of East Q Street for a shooting. A gray 2009 Mercedes was parked on the side of the street where one of the passengers was standing and holding a man in the driver's seat who had been shot, according to charging documents.
Police began medical aid on the injured man. A woman sitting in the front passenger seat had been shot several times in her legs, documents show. They were both taken to a hospital where the man died.
Both of the passengers in the car told police that 'Quicc' was the shooter. Documents show that 'Quicc' was identified as Miller.
The victim that held up the man told officers she had been in the backseat of the car. Miller drove up while they were at a smoke shop nearby, and they all had a cordial conversation, prosecutors wrote. Miller recognized the woman in the front seat and told the man to pull over down the road.
Miller was mad over a comment the woman made on social media, according to the backseat passenger. The woman who had been shot later told police the confrontation happened due to a falling out with two women she knew.
When they were all parked, Miller left his car to approach the woman, documents show. The man got out of the car and blocked Miller from getting to the woman. Miller allegedly reached into his cross-body bag after he exchanged words with the man.
Documents show that Miller initially backed off, and the man got back into the driver's seat, but then the defendant allegedly came up to the window and pointed a gun at the backseat passenger. Miller then allegedly shot the man several times, then shot the woman in the front seat. He got back into his car and drove off.
Lakewood police helped Tacoma detectives find Miller and arrest him outside of an apartment complex, documents show. Prosecutors noted that in a photo from March 1, Miller had 'dreadlocks' in his hair, but during his arrest Tuesday, his hair was shaved off.
Miller denied being in Tacoma during the shooting. He said that the man was more of a friend to his brothers, but he knew him and they did not hang out, prosecutors wrote. Miller claimed he did not know the woman who had been shot and said he had not owned a gun in many years.
'Nicholas consistently denied being involved in the homicide, would or could not provide information about the people he said he had been with or could verify things he was telling us,' documents say.
Miller also told police he had a twin brother, then a young brother who looked like him, documents show.
A cross-body bag was found in the residence Miller was staying at. Investigators allegedly found a loaded firearm inside of the bag.
Prosecutors wrote that Miller has two active cases in Pierce County Superior Court. In November 2024, he posted a $45,000 bond for second-degree assault. He also has prior convictions dating back to when he was a teenager for second-degree assault in 2011 and residential burglary in 2015.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7 hours ago
Jury begins deliberating in trial of Memphis man charged with organizing Young Dolph's killing
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A jury began deliberating Wednesday in the trial of a man charged with organizing the daytime ambush killing of rapper Young Dolph at a Memphis bakery in November 2021. The trial of Hernandez Govan, 45, began Monday in a Memphis courtroom. Govan is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and first-degree murder. He is not accused of shooting Young Dolph, but prosecutors claim he directed the two people who did and was criminally responsible for the commission of premeditated murder. The 12-person jury began deliberating at about 5:15 p.m., after prosecutors and a defense attorney delivered closing arguments. Young Dolph — a rapper, independent label owner and producer whose legal name was Adolph Thornton Jr. — grew up in Memphis and was admired in the city for his charitable works. The 36-year-old was in his hometown to hand out Thanksgiving turkeys to families when his visit to his favorite cookie shop turned into an attack that shocked the entertainment world. Authorities said two men exited a white Mercedes-Benz and began shooting at the rapper at the bakery on Nov. 17, 2021. He died after being shot about 20 times, according to a medical examiner's report. Testifying against Govan was Cornelius Smith Jr., who has admitted to being one of the two shooters who ambushed Young Dolph. Smith previously was the main trial witness against Justin Johnson, who was convicted of first-degree murder in 2024 after Smith named him as the second shooter. Memphis prosecutors have portrayed the killing as part an effort by Anthony 'Big Jook' Mims to get revenge on Young Dolph for diss tracks aimed at Big Jook and the record label he helped run for his brother, rapper Yo Gotti. Smith has testified that Big Jook put out a $100,000 hit on Young Dolph as well as smaller bounties on all the artists at Young Dolph's record label, Paper Route Empire. At the earlier trial of Justin Johnson, a prosecutor told jurors that Cocaine Muzik Group (now known as Collective Music Group), a rival record label founded by Yo Gotti, wanted Young Dolph to work for them, but he turned them down. Big Jook was shot and killed outside a restaurant in January 2024. Prosecutors argued Govan was the middle man between Big Jook and the two shooters. Smith testified on Monday that 'I didn't know anything about Paper Route having no hits,' before Govan told him about them. He said Govan hired him to 'do the hits," and was going to take $10,000 as his cut. Govan was also the person who told him and Johnson that Young Dolph would be in Memphis for the Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, so 'that's our opportunity,' Smith said. Prosecutors introduced as evidence cellphone communications involving Johnson, Smith, Govan and Big Jook ahead of the shooting. Meanwhile, Govan's defense attorney, Manny Arora, tried to paint Smith as an unreliable witness and a 'pathological liar' who would say anything to try to get a lighter sentence. He also questioned the validity of the cellphone communications, saying none directly incriminated Govan. Arora pointed to previous testimony where Smith recalled a chance encounter with Big Jook. At the time, Smith implied that Big Jook was the person who hired him. After Smith was arrested, his attorney called Big Jook's attorney and received somewhere between $38,000 and $50,000 in cash. Smith said on Monday that he did not know who had supplied the money. Smith also testified that he previously heard that Govan might be working with the FBI. Arora asked why Smith would take a job from Govan if that were the case. Smith said that Govan was 'innocent until proven guilty.' Govan did not testify in his defense. A trial date has not been set for Smith. Johnson was sentenced to life in prison in September 2024. He was later sentenced to 35 additional years in prison for two other convictions from the trial: conspiracy to commit murder and possessing a gun as a felon. Young Dolph began his career by releasing numerous mixtapes. His studio albums include his 2016 debut, 'King of Memphis.' He also collaborated on other mixtapes and albums with fellow rappers Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion, T.I., Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz and others. Young Dolph had three albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200, with 2020′s 'Rich Slave' peaking at No. 4.
San Francisco Chronicle
8 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Jury begins deliberating in trial of Memphis man charged with organizing Young Dolph's killing
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A jury began deliberating Wednesday in the trial of a man charged with organizing the daytime ambush killing of rapper Young Dolph at a Memphis bakery in November 2021. The trial of Hernandez Govan, 45, began Monday in a Memphis courtroom. Govan is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and first-degree murder. He is not accused of shooting Young Dolph, but prosecutors claim he directed the two people who did and was criminally responsible for the commission of premeditated murder. The 12-person jury began deliberating at about 5:15 p.m., after prosecutors and a defense attorney delivered closing arguments. Young Dolph — a rapper, independent label owner and producer whose legal name was Adolph Thornton Jr. — grew up in Memphis and was admired in the city for his charitable works. The 36-year-old was in his hometown to hand out Thanksgiving turkeys to families when his visit to his favorite cookie shop turned into an attack that shocked the entertainment world. Authorities said two men exited a white Mercedes-Benz and began shooting at the rapper at the bakery on Nov. 17, 2021. He died after being shot about 20 times, according to a medical examiner's report. Testifying against Govan was Cornelius Smith Jr., who has admitted to being one of the two shooters who ambushed Young Dolph. Smith previously was the main trial witness against Justin Johnson, who was convicted of first-degree murder in 2024 after Smith named him as the second shooter. Memphis prosecutors have portrayed the killing as part an effort by Anthony 'Big Jook' Mims to get revenge on Young Dolph for diss tracks aimed at Big Jook and the record label he helped run for his brother, rapper Yo Gotti. Smith has testified that Big Jook put out a $100,000 hit on Young Dolph as well as smaller bounties on all the artists at Young Dolph's record label, Paper Route Empire. At the earlier trial of Justin Johnson, a prosecutor told jurors that Cocaine Muzik Group (now known as Collective Music Group), a rival record label founded by Yo Gotti, wanted Young Dolph to work for them, but he turned them down. Big Jook was shot and killed outside a restaurant in January 2024. Prosecutors argued Govan was the middle man between Big Jook and the two shooters. Smith testified on Monday that 'I didn't know anything about Paper Route having no hits,' before Govan told him about them. He said Govan hired him to 'do the hits," and was going to take $10,000 as his cut. Govan was also the person who told him and Johnson that Young Dolph would be in Memphis for the Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, so 'that's our opportunity,' Smith said. Prosecutors introduced as evidence cellphone communications involving Johnson, Smith, Govan and Big Jook ahead of the shooting. Meanwhile, Govan's defense attorney, Manny Arora, tried to paint Smith as an unreliable witness and a 'pathological liar' who would say anything to try to get a lighter sentence. He also questioned the validity of the cellphone communications, saying none directly incriminated Govan. Arora pointed to previous testimony where Smith recalled a chance encounter with Big Jook. At the time, Smith implied that Big Jook was the person who hired him. After Smith was arrested, his attorney called Big Jook's attorney and received somewhere between $38,000 and $50,000 in cash. Smith said on Monday that he did not know who had supplied the money. Smith also testified that he previously heard that Govan might be working with the FBI. Arora asked why Smith would take a job from Govan if that were the case. Smith said that Govan was 'innocent until proven guilty.' Govan did not testify in his defense. A trial date has not been set for Smith. Johnson was sentenced to life in prison in September 2024. He was later sentenced to 35 additional years in prison for two other convictions from the trial: conspiracy to commit murder and possessing a gun as a felon. Young Dolph began his career by releasing numerous mixtapes. His studio albums include his 2016 debut, 'King of Memphis.' He also collaborated on other mixtapes and albums with fellow rappers Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion, T.I., Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz and others. Young Dolph had three albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200, with 2020′s 'Rich Slave' peaking at No. 4.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dover police chief sues mayor, saying he was punished for not playing politics
Escalating their long-running feud, Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney sued Mayor James Dodd on Monday, saying his boss has targeted him with a campaign of defamation and harassment for refusing to endorse Dodd in the last two mayoral races. Delaney has endured years of "slander and closed-door schemes to demote and ultimately terminate him in violation of his employment contract," according to the lawsuit, filed on Aug. 19 in Morris County Superior Court. The accusations didn't end there against Dodd, a Democrat who was unseated after three terms in 2019 only to regain power in the 2023 election. The mayor's campaign against the chief was motivated by Delaney's "political affiliation," the suit alleges, and also by his "refusing to support Dodd's demand for the return of certain officers who engaged in conduct for which they were facing disciplinary actions and ultimately resigned." Those officers, unlike Delaney, supported Dodd's candidacy for mayor, the lawsuit alleges. Delaney, a 16-year veteran of the department, also was targeted for "making reports to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office related to certain activities by Dodd that [the chief] reasonably believed were violations of law," the lawsuit adds. Dover mayor claps back "Let me be clear: his allegations are false," Dodd told the Daily Record on Wednesday. "This is a desperate attempt to shield himself from oversight, and nothing more." The mayor said Delaney was "a chief who already benefits from a six-year contract, one of the richest and most one-sided ever given to any police chief in New Jersey." "This lawsuit will not stop me or this Town from doing our job," he added. "We will continue to shine a light on the police department, enforce fiscal discipline, and provide the oversight our residents expect and deserve." Delaney said that since returning to the mayor's office in 2024, Dodd has established a pattern of harassing and hostile behavior "to diminish his authority." The lawsuit seeks judgment for emotional distress, compensatory and punitive damages, back and front pay, attorneys' fees, insurance costs and other relief. "In filing this action, [Delaney] believes it his duty to prevent political interference in the Dover Police Department and ensure that James Dodd does not abuse the power entrusted in him by the citizens of Dover," according to the lawsuit. A parade of police lawsuits The lawsuit identifies one of the Dodd-supporting cops as former Officer Anthony Liguori, who resigned in 2023 following an internal affairs investigation. Later that year, Liguori filed a civil action against the department and the town, alleging discrimination based on his sexual orientation. That lawsuit is now before a New Jersey district court after being transferred out of Morris County Superior Court. Capt. Bill Newton is also alleged in the lawsuit to have supported Dodd. "Dodd made it clear before the election that he wanted Newton to be in charge of the police department," according to the complaint. Newton has also filed a lawsuit against the town for denying his multiple OPRA requests for, among other documents, copies of emails between Delaney and various town officials. "Under Dodd, it is clear that the town will engage in questionable hiring practices stemming from political allegiance rather than hiring the best-qualified candidates," the Delaney lawsuit reads. Dodd, who was criticized Delaney's management of the police, said the lawsuit was an attempt to distract from other issues. "Chief Delaney's lawsuit is not about justice, it's about avoiding accountability," Dodd said. "He filed it just as our business administrator increased scrutiny on his department's lack of transparency, runaway overtime, and unlawful orders serious enough to warrant investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. More: In Dover, Junior Police Academy helps cops connect with diverse community Councilman confronted police chief The Delaney-Dodd conflict spilled into the public arena at a February 2024 council meeting after Dover police arrested Councilman Sergio Rodriguez, a close ally of the mayor's, on a simple assault charge. That followed Rodriguez's posting of a video on his Instagram account in which the Ward 2 Democrat kicked a bottle out the hands of a homeless man on a downtown street. In the video, Rodriguez confronted three men who he said were drinking alcohol in public. Rodriguez was criticized by some residents for what they saw as vigilante behavior. But at the Feb. 13, 2024 council meeting, he pushed back and at one point spoke directly to Delaney, who was in the audience. "I want the people around this town to respect our police. I don't want them saying 'Hey, Dover, we can do whatever we want there,'" he told the chief. "Because let's face it: that's what's being said. And I don't like it." The chief stood and responded, in a raised voice, "We have some of the hardest-working officers in the state of New Jersey, if not the nation. They have families, too." Dodd cut off the discussion and admonished Delaney for allegedly trying to intimidate Rodriguez. Delaney was later issued an official letter of reprimand for his comment but was eventually cleared by an independent arbitrator, who ruled in favor of a grievance filed by the chief. Over the next year, Rodriquez was arrested twice more in town following other incidents related to confrontations over public drinking, including one episode resulting in an aggravated assault charge. Dodd later directed the counsel to pass a resolution authorizing up to $35,000 to pay for Rodriguez's defense. More recently, Dodd posted a video statement accusing Delaney of engaging in "lawfare against elected officials" in the hopes of preserving the department's "cash cow" of overtime spending. Town Hall turnover, whistleblower suits The Delaney lawsuit seemed almost inevitable after more than a year of public conflict between the two town leaders, part of a turbulent fourth term in office for Dodd that has generated a great deal of turnover in Town Hall. In May, Dodd hired his fourth town administrator, Edward Ramirez, since returning to office. He started his ltaest term by firing BettyLou Decroce from the position in March, calling her "a cancer." DeCroce, a former state Assemblywoman hired by Dodd's predecessor, filed her own lawsuit against the mayor in 2024. In it, she said she was let go in part for refusing to terminate Delaney after he spoke out of turn at the council meeting. Dover hired Adam Cruz in June 2024 to replace DeCroce. Less than a year later, Cruz left to take the city manager's job in Asbury Park. He was replaced on a temporary basis by Ron Edwards, a former New York and New Jersey jail official who the mayor hired last year for the newly created position of director of professional standards. But in June, Dodd announced that Edwards was taking a leave of absence due to "a family emergency." The mayor said he would be replaced on an acting basis by Ramirez, who had just been hired in January as the town's Chief Financial Officer. In Delaney's lawsuit, he alleges that "Dodd's creation of the Office of Professional Standards, Accountability and Security is nothing more than a pretext for his plan to take over the police department and remove" the chief. The suit also lists other alleged retaliatory actions taken by Dodd against Delaney, including a decision to remove Delaney as the town's Joint Insurance Fund Commissioner, withholding the chief's 2024 contractual salary increase and removing him as the police department's custodian of records. Dodd ordered all Open Public Records Act responses to be reviewed by the mayor's office. Last week, Ramirez entered the public controversy, launching a "Dover Business Administrator" Facebook page and posting a statement backing Dodd's criticism. "Spending between $500,000 and $700,000 in overtime for a single department — where base salaries already exceed six figures — is simply unsustainable," Ramirez wrote. "We cannot justify straining every other department to support this level of spending." This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morris County police chief sues mayor for harassment, defamation Solve the daily Crossword
