Suspect in Puyallup domestic violence standoff pleads not guilty

A man accused of injuring two Puyallup police officers during a five-hour standoff was armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, according to probable cause documents.

Muelu Salanoa Jr., 37, was charged Thursday with two counts of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree burglary, felony harassment, violation of a court order and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

He pleaded not guilty Thursday. His bail was set at $2 million.

The standoff began Jan. 24 when Puyallup police officers responded to the River Trail Apartments around 1:17 p.m. after a woman reported Salanoa, who is her estranged boyfriend, forced his way into her apartment and threatened to shoot her. Salanoa was hiding in a closet, the woman said.

The woman had two no-contact orders against Salanoa in 2021 and 2022, according to probable cause documents.

[Ohnothetableits]

No sympathy for anyone who abuses women, and kids.

[jf]

DA needs to file charges on the girlfriend as well. She knew he was not to be in possession of a firearm/s and said and did nothing.

[Ohnothetableits]

Lock him up. We need more freeway cleaners, and plate makers.

[johnleidle]

Obviously a case of white racism he looks, sounds like a very nice person.