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Army Veteran Recalls Defending Tacoma Home Amid Gang Shootout
Off-Duty Rangers Confront Suspected Gang Members
Tacoma, Washington (October 20, 2022)
In the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington, a violent encounter unfolded on September 23, 1989, leaving an imprint on military and local history.
William Foulk, an off-duty United States Army Ranger, found himself at the heart of a gunfight between Army Rangers and members of the Hilltop Crips. The incident, known as the Ash Street shootout, has been etched into crime and military annals.
Foulk had purchased a house in a troubled neighborhood, unaware of the lurking threat. As he began videotaping suspicious activity around a suspected drug house, he realized the occupants were gang members. The situation escalated when Army Rangers, also off-duty, intervened.
The shootout that ensued was intense, with over 300 rounds fired. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as bullets flew and suspects fled. Police identified the suspects as members of the Crips, a notorious street gang.
Foulk's actions that day exemplify the bravery and vigilance required to combat crime. His account serves as a reminder of the dangers that can lurk within communities and the sacrifices made by those who protect them.
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