Federal Way man charged for killing girlfriend while ‘teasing’

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Associated Press

FEDERAL WAY — A 23-year-old Federal Way man has been charged with first-degree manslaughter in connection to the shooting death of his girlfriend.

The Seattle Times reported Chris Tavita was charged on Friday for what he says was teasing gone wrong — ending in 21-year-old Faavale Muipu being shot in the face.

Tavita told detectives that Muipu had a stun gun and playfully teased him with it — saying she would use it on him. He told detectives that he responded to her by saying he would shoot her if she did.

Charging documents state a magazine had been removed from the handgun in the house, but a bullet was already chambered. The documents state Tavita pulled the trigger, and Muipu later died at a hospital.

Tavita originally tried telling authorities Muipu accidentally shot herself.