Tacoma man charged in downtown robbery shooting

TACOMA, Washington — Pierce County prosecutors allege that a man spent several hours robbing people of drugs and money in downtown Tacoma before he shot a woman in the head after she wouldn’t turn over $50.

Ben Aaron Strickland, 32, was charged Monday with one count of first-degree murder in the April 7 death of 51-year-old Carmen Jackson. A plea of not guilty was entered for Strickland at his arraignment, and Pierce County Superior Court Judge Linda Lee set bail at $1 million.

Court documents allege Strickland spent several hours in the downtown neighborhood robbing people of small amounts of money and drugs. Prosecutors say Jackson was shot when she refused to turn over her money. Police found a $50 bill in her pocket.

Strickland was arrested Friday. Court records say he contends his gun went off accidentally. More on Seattle Times