TACOMA — The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the mother who was fatally shot in front of her 5-year-old daughter outside their home.
The office says Teresa Ryan, 46, of Puyallup, died in Monday’s shooting.
The News Tribune reported that Austin Nelson, 19, pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges Tuesday. Authorities believe Nelson was upset over “a bad breakup” with the victim’s teen daughter, who was not home when the shooting took place.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department says Nelson also forced his way into the South Hill home and fatally shot a dog.
The mother was driving home Monday morning when the suspect confronted her as she was leaving her car. She was shot multiple times. The 5-year-old girl was in the backseat of the car at the time and wasn’t hurt.
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