It was supposed to be a simple walk home.
On the night of May 24, 17-year-old Braylon Daniel Diaz was walking his girlfriend, Katelyn Zuniga, through their Parkland neighborhood when a car pulled up alongside them. Someone inside called Braylon over.
He went. Police say that’s when two people robbed him of his jewelry, shot him, and sped away — leaving him to die on the street.
“He protected me his last few seconds,” Katelyn said. “He was always a protector. He always cared about me. He would always take care of everyone around him.”
“He Would Never Confront Anybody”
To everyone who knew Braylon, what happened that night made perfect sense — and that’s what makes it so devastating.
His stepmother, Chelsea Diaz, told reporters that Braylon wasn’t the type to walk toward danger. The only reason he would have approached that car, she said, was to put himself between it and Katelyn.
“The only reason he would walk close to that car would be to protect his girlfriend,” Chelsea said.
Two Suspects Caught — But More Are Being Sought
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests of two suspects: a 26-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man. The woman was picked up at a Walmart by the Tulalip Police Department on Sunday. The man was arrested separately by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office on unrelated felony warrants. Both are now sitting in Pierce County Jail.
Police have not released their names since formal charges have not yet been filed.
A red sedan linked to the shooting was located on May 27. Investigators say the case is still open — and more people may be involved.
“There were more persons of interest,” Deputy Carly Cappetto confirmed, signaling that the investigation is far from finished.
A Community Asks for Justice
Braylon’s family has launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs, and they’re urging anyone with information to come forward and contact the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.
For Katelyn, no arrest will undo what she lost that night — a boyfriend who, even in his final seconds, chose her safety over his own.
If you have information about this case, contact the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.
