TACOMA, WA – Today Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist charged Skylar Nikolas Bear Nemetz, 20, with murder in the first degree for shooting his wife to death in their Lakewood apartment. He is scheduled to be arraigned today at 1:30 p.m. in room 270 of the County-City Building in Tacoma.
"October is domestic violence awareness month and this murder is an unfortunate example of why we need to keep working to end domestic violence," said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist.
On Oct. 16, 2014, Nemetz returned home from a military training and discovered alcohol in his home. He assumed his co-worker purchased the alcohol for Nemetz and his 19-year-old wife, so he thanked him. The co-worker informed Nemetz that another man had purchased the alcohol for Nemetz’s wife. Nemetz was furious and began clenching his fists.
Two hours later, Nemetz shot his wife, who was sitting at the computer, in the back of the head with an AR-15 rifle. The bullet traveled through her head and into the computer screen. A neighbor heard the shot and called 911.
After the shooting, neighbors saw Nemetz leave and re-enter his apartment several times. He put the rifle away in the closet, and flushed a bottle of whiskey down the toilet before police arrived.
Charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent unless he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Songer
Communications and Public Information Coordinator
Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
253-798-6265
253-380-5856
[email protected]