Tacoma police say Tuesday's double homicide remains an open investigation despite the arrest of five suspects.
Joshua Youell, 23, and Francisco Beiza, 30, were shot at about 8 p.m. near the 4400 block of Portland Avenue, detectives said. The shooting happened within feet of Eastside Community Church, where the congregation was participating in Bible study when gunfire rang out. It was so close people thought the shooting was happening inside the building.
"I told everyone to hit the floor," said Pastor Alex Davis. "I just wanted to make sure our congregation was safe."
What Davis saw outside made him run toward the gunfire.
"I just looked out the window and I see a young man lying down on the ground," Davis said, describing Youell. "His eyes were in the back of his head and he was still breathing so that's when a few of the ladies came and we started CPR."
Debra Fayne was one of several who administered CPR to Youell until first responders arrived.
"What if this was my son? I just looked in his eyes and I'm, like, God please," she said. "Everybody from the church, we did what we had to do."
According to Tacoma police, Beiza was also shot but he was dropped him off outside a local hospital where he later died.
Investigators say five people have been arrested in connection to the homicides. Three of the suspects are minors and all of them face charges of second degree murder.
The motive behind the violence is still under investigation.
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