Deputy Kills Suspect After Stabbing Four on Key Peninsula, Family Details Tragedy
Updated (4 articles)
Stabbing Rampage Leaves Five Dead Including Suspect On Tuesday morning, Feb. 25, 2026, a 32‑year‑old man stabbed four adults outside a home on the Key Peninsula, killing all four; a Pierce County deputy shot the suspect, Aleksander Shablykin, killing him. 911 calls logged at 8:41 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 9:33 a.m. show the deputy responding to a no‑contact order violation before firing. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office confirmed five deaths total, including the suspect [1][3].
Suspect’s Mental‑Health History and Medication Lapse Shablykin, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, missed a prescribed dose for about 12 hours before the attack, a lapse his partner Rob Knowles says “was all it took” to make him lose control. Court records reveal his mother Zoya filed protective orders citing escalating mental‑health issues, grandiosity, and auditory hallucinations. The sister, Anastasiya, also notes he stopped his medication three days prior, linking the cessation to his violent behavior [1][2].
Family Dynamics and Protective Order Involving a Cat At the time of the stabbing, Shablykin lived in the garage of his sister’s partner, Rob Knowles, while awaiting housing assistance; the couple share an 11‑year‑old daughter, Anna. Zoya held an active protection order and called police fearing he would harm her cat; he entered, locked her out, and the cat remained inside the house. Three neighbors who attempted to intervene were stabbed and died, underscoring the chaotic scene [1].
Investigation Ongoing and Community Support Efforts The Pierce County Force Investigation Team conducted a 16‑hour on‑scene probe, wrapping up around 1 a.m. Wednesday, with a further update expected next week. A GoFundMe page was launched to cover funeral costs, counseling, and support for surviving relatives, including Anastasiya’s daughter. Police have not released the names of the three non‑family victims as the investigation continues [1][2][3].
Sources
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1.
King5: Family Recounts Tragic Key Peninsula Stabbing Spree That Left Four Dead: Provides detailed account of the incident, naming suspect Aleksander Shablykin, his mother Zoya, the missed medication dose, living arrangement with Rob Knowles, and the cat‑related protection order, emphasizing family perspective and GoFundMe launch .
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2.
King5: Sister of Key Peninsula Stabbing Suspect Speaks Out on Family Tragedy: Features sister Anastasiya Shablykina’s reaction, notes medication stopped three days earlier, cites protective order history, and mentions fundraiser for survivors, focusing on emotional impact and unidentified victims .
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King5: Five Dead After Stabbing Rampage on Key Peninsula: Reports official casualty count of five including suspect, outlines timeline of 911 calls, deputy’s response to no‑contact order violation, and details of the on‑scene investigation, providing law‑enforcement perspective .
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Timeline
Jan 27, 2026 – Deputies respond to 7400 185th Ave. NW on the Key Peninsula and discover a mother, her son and their dog dead from gunshot wounds; the husband finds the bodies after returning from work and no suspect is identified, prompting an ongoing investigation [4].
2025 – Zoya Shablykina files a protective order against her adult son Aleksandr, citing escalating mental‑health issues such as grandiosity and command hallucinations, establishing a documented history of family violence [2][3].
Early 2025 (≈April) – Rob Knowles begins housing Aleksandr Shablykin in his garage while the suspect awaits housing assistance; Knowles and Shablykin’s sister share an 11‑year‑old daughter [1].
Feb 22, 2026 – Aleksandr Shablykin stops taking his prescribed bipolar medication while staying in Orting, a lapse his sister later links to his later violent behavior [2].
Feb 25, 2026 – 8:41 a.m. – Police receive a 911 call reporting a violation of Zoya’s no‑contact order; the suspect arrives at the home, locks the mother out, and the protected cat remains inside [1].
Feb 25, 2026 – 8:50 a.m. – A deputy arrives to serve the no‑contact order; witnesses see the suspect begin stabbing neighbors who intervene [3].
Feb 25, 2026 – 9:30 a.m. – The stabbing spree escalates, leaving three neighbors dead at the scene and a fourth victim later dying in the hospital; the victims include the suspect’s mother [1][3].
Feb 25, 2026 – 9:33 a.m. – A Pierce County deputy fires at Aleksandr Shablykin, killing him and ending the rampage; the incident results in five fatalities total, including the suspect [3].
Feb 25, 2026 – Community members launch a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral costs and counseling for the grieving family and to support Anastasiya’s 11‑year‑old daughter [1][2].
Feb 26, 2026 – Anastasiya Shablykina tells KING 5 via Facebook she “cannot comprehend the violence,” heard “blood everywhere,” and emphasizes that her brother’s medication stop three days earlier likely triggered the attack [2].
Feb 27, 2026 – Rob Knowles states the missed medication dose “was all it took” for Aleksandr to become “out of control,” linking the lapse directly to the tragedy [1].
Feb 27, 2026 – Tacoma Police continue the probe, and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office announces it will issue a formal update on the case next week, indicating ongoing investigative efforts [1].
All related articles (4 articles)
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Family recounts tragic Key Peninsula stabbing spree that left four dead
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Sister of Key Peninsula stabbing suspect speaks out on family tragedy
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Five Dead After Stabbing Rampage on Key Peninsula
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Mother, Son and Dog Found Dead on Key Peninsula