TACOMA, WA – Today, 34-year-old Christopher William Olsen was sentenced to 50 years in prison for a 2014 shooting in Fredrickson that killed Robert Ward, 24. Earlier this month, a jury convicted Olsen of murder in the first degree. Olsen has 16 prior felony convictions.
“The defendant was a career criminal and a serious danger to the public,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “Our community is safer now.”
The courtroom was filled with emotional family members, including Ward’s mother, sister, grandmother and aunt, who addressed the Court. They described Ward as a loving, kind and caring young man. Ward’s family also thanked the Prosecutor’s Office and sheriff’s detectives for their hard work and dedication.
On Feb. 16, 2014, Olsen told his friends that Ward had stolen a truck from him, and he asked them where he could find Ward. Olsen’s plan was to lure Ward to a phony drug deal and ambush him. Later that night, Ward arrived in the parking lot at Canyon Road and 176th Street for the drug deal. Olsen pulled in behind Ward and began firing shots at him. Ward attempted to drive away, but Olsen chased him and continued firing from a pickup truck. One of the bullets struck Ward in the head, causing him to crash his car. He was transported to the hospital, where he died the next day.
Using cell phone records, Pierce County Sheriff’s detectives tracked Olsen to Idaho and arrested him.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Songer
Communications and Public Information Coordinator
Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
253-798-6265
253-380-5856
[email protected]