BONNEY LAKE, Wash. — When Pierce County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the home of Regina and David Annas just after 10 p.m. Friday, it was the second time in less than 12 hours that they had been there.
Hours earlier, Regina had gone to the Pierce County Superior Court for help.
A childhood friend of the couple said the couple was getting a divorce.
"And she had just gotten a restraining order," Georgia Warner said.
Neighbor Juliet Roberts said she did not know Regina Annas, but saw her crying in her car Friday afternoon.
"She looked about my age and she was sobbing," Roberts said.
Annas told Roberts that officers were inside the house with her husband, the owner of Atlas Towing.
"It's a domestic violence dispute going on," she told Roberts.
Within hours, deputies were called to what they initially believed was a hostage situation. They kept everyone far back, including the KIRO 7 news crew.
"We just saw sirens everywhere and just like lights," said Faith Golding-Booth, a 13-year-old neighbor.
Hours later, the SWAT team forced its way into the house and discovered David, 40, had shot Regina, 33, then himself. A friend may have been caught in the crossfire, but was was alive.
According to Pierce County court documents, both Regina and David tried to get restraining orders against each other.Only Regina's request was granted. They were to be back on court on April 30.
"It's horrifying," said neighbor, Juliet Roberts. "It's really sad."