US Army Rangers clashed in a fierce gunfight with a local gang in the streets of Tacoma

In the 1980s, the surge of illegal drugs in American cities fueled a sharp rise in gang violence. Although similar problems continue today, particularly with the opioid crisis, the epidemic of the 1980s and ’90s had distinct characteristics. One notable incident during this period took place in Tacoma, Washington, where a clash between US Army Rangers and local gang members highlighted the chaotic atmosphere of the time.

Staff Sgt. William Foulk bought a house in a rough neighborhood

In the 1980s, the city of Tacoma was besieged by gang violence. (Photo Credit: Ben Cody / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

Army Ranger Staff Sgt. William “Bill” Foulk, of the 2nd Ranger Battalion based at Fort Lewis, Washington, had purchased a home in Tacoma. Located in the Hilltop district, an area notorious for severe gang violence, the property cost him only $10,000, with hopes that its value would appreciate over time.

While he might have thought the neighborhood was on the verge of improvement, Foulk may not have fully understood the depth of its challenges. The area was notorious for open drug deals, and gang members often brandished automatic weapons. Hilltop was frequently compared to the “Wild West” of gang violence due to its rampant criminal activity.

With the local police force stretched thin, Tacoma struggled to contain the gangs’ threatening firepower.

Houses along the block saw serious gang activity

The Crips had a large presence in Tacoma, Washington in the 1980s. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Staff Sgt. Foulk suspected that the residents of a nearby house on Ash Street, where he lived, were engaged in drug dealing.

To gather evidence, he set up a camera in one of his windows. The gang members quickly noticed they were being watched and tried various methods to disable it, including throwing rotten pears at it. When these efforts proved unsuccessful, they resorted to shooting at the camera.

Foulk directly confronted the gang, insisting they cease both their shooting and their illegal activities in the neighborhood. As expected, they reacted poorly, telling the Army Ranger to stay out of their business—a demand he had no intention of complying with.

The Ash Street shootout of 1989

The firefight on Ash Street was eventually stopped when Tacoma police showed up. (Photo Credit: Wurzer / Getty Images)

After encountering the gang members, Staff Sgt. Foulk became convinced they might target him. He sent his wife away and invited his fellow Rangers over for a barbecue. Between 10 and 15 Rangers accepted, arriving armed with heavy weapons. This turned out to be a smart move because on September 23, 1989, Foulk’s home came under attack.

The gang was likely shocked when the Army Rangers quickly took defensive positions and fired back. The firefight lasted between 10 and 30 minutes until police arrived to put an end to it. Most gang members fled, but two were captured and charged with assault and weapons offenses.

The Rangers were not charged, though their weapons were confiscated.

Aftermath of the shootout

The Ash Street shootout changed how Tacoma residents approached neighborhood safety. (Photo Credit: Jacob Rose / Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0)

The most amazing thing about the Ash Street shootout was that no one was killed or hurt, despite over 100 rounds being fired. Maj. Clyde Newman of the 2nd Ranger Battalion said of the incident, “From everything I am told by the city police, the Rangers were right. They were having a party, and they were attacked.”

Sam Thrall, a police sergeant, noted, “I think what happens now is we go up to Ash Street and clean them out… We have a real concentration of bad guys there and the neighborhood has finally clashed with them face to face. The fact that nobody got hurt – it is kind of amazing.”

The incident was a turning point for Tacoma, as it drew attention to the rampant crime in the city. Residents became involved in policing their own neighborhoods and created a safe spaces program that remains in place to this day. City officials also adjusted their budget to ensure additional police officers could be hired.

The Hilltop neighborhood completely changed

The Hilltop neighborhood in Tacoma, Washington has vastly improved. (Photo Credit: Jacob Rose / Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0)

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The shootout on Ash Street was wild and chaotic, but, eventually, Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood became one of the city’s safest. As for Staff Sgt. Foulk, his investment became an incredible success. According to RedFin, the house he purchased for $10,000 is now worth well over what he paid – between $330,000 and $450,000!