Tacoma man pleads guilty to brutal assault that left victim critically injured

Tacoma– A 41-year-old Tacoma man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Shaun Lee Blue faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo on May 3, 2024.

According to records filed in the case, Blue worked for the victim as a day laborer. On March 19, 2023, the men were working on removing an old trailer from a property in Eatonville, Washington. At the end of the workday, the two met up at the Roy Y Park and Ride lot so that the victim could pay Blue for the work he had done.

At the parking lot, both men got out of their cars and started to argue. Blue pulled a knife and stabbed the victim in the abdomen multiple times causing serious cuts to his intestines, colon, and liver. Blue continued to stab the victim even after the victim fell to the ground.

After the attack, Blue drove away and the victim was able to call 9-1-1 for help. He was found critically injured in his vehicle and was taken to the hospital. The victim continues to recover from his significant injuries and multiple surgeries.

The Roy Y Park and Ride is on the property of Joint Base Lewis McChord and therefore is in exclusive federal jurisdiction.

Blue has agreed to make restitution to the victim.

Assault resulting in serious bodily harm is punishable by up to ten years in prison and $250,000 fine.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, and Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) with assistance from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hillary K. Stuart.