WOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER

Leah Marie Aguilar Alvarez pleaded not guilty on Feb. 2 to charges of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit murder. The charges are related to the 2010 shooting death of Tacoma resident Saul Lucas-Alfonso. He was fatally shot in an alley by men who were seeking to collect a debt from another man but instead confronted the victim. In court documents, prosecutors claim Alvarez helped plan the altercation and purchased the gun used. Her husband, Byron, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the case. She is being held in jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

SHOOTING RULED JUSTIFIED

Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist has concluded the shooting of Aaron Michael Westby by sheriff's deputy Chad Helligso was justifiable homicide following an investigation into the incident, which occurred last October. Helligso and his partner Chris Olson were investigating a stolen truck, which reportedly had a handgun inside. They had information that Westby, who was wanted on a felony warrant, had the vehicle. Sheriff's deputies spotted it in an alley in the 1900 block of South 'M' Street. As they approached they saw Westby exit a residence and walk toward the truck. They ordered him to get on the ground. Instead he got in the truck and locked the door. Helligso could not see inside due to tinted windows. He smashed one out and ordered Westby out. Westby refused and repeatedly yelled that he had a gun and was going to shoot the deputies. Helligso deployed a taser, but it had no effect. Olson saw Westby reach under the dashboard. Olson warned Helligso, who shot Westby in the head. Police found no gun in the vehicle. A high concentration of methamphetamine was found in Westby's bloodstream.

"Mr. Westby repeatedly claimed to have a gun, threatened the officers and refused to cooperate. This created a situation where deputy Helligso resorted to deadly force to protect himself and his partner," Lindquist said. "Deputy Helligso's actions were lawful given the circumstances he faced."

MAN SHOT BY COP DIES

A man who died Jan. 31 after being shot by a Tacoma police officer in November has been identified as Austin Welling. The 18-year-old Tacoma resident passed away at Harborview Medical Center. Welling was driving a stolen vehicle when he was stopped in an alley on the East Side. He used the vehicle to hit the patrol car and was fired upon.

FELONIOUS YOUNG FEMALE

A 14-year-old girl was arrested on Jan. 31 after she allegedly fled from a stolen vehicle and tried to assault a police officer. A truck was stopped in the 2600 block of South Tacoma Way for reckless driving. The girl jumped out of the driver's seat and ran. After a short chase, the girl reportedly struck and tried to use pepper spray against the officer. Other officers arrived and the girl was arrests. She has at least 18 prior felony arrests and had two felony warrants out. The vehicle was reported stolen in Kent. Officers found merchandise stolen from Tacoma Mall inside. The girl was booked into Remann Hall.