Boy killed with machete in Pierce County; uncle suspected

TACOMA — A Pierce County man killed his 12-year-old nephew with a machete before fatally shooting himself Sunday, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities said Christian Brayton, 27, appears to have suffered from mental problems.

Someone called about 911 about 3:25 a.m. Sunday to report a man had driven through a fence in the 1700 block of 288th Street South on Joint Base Lewis-McChord property.

Deputies believed it was a car accident until they noticed the driver, Christian Brayton, had a gunshot wound to the head.

While they were investigating the death, dispatchers received another 911 call about 5:15 a.m. from a neighbor who heard a distraught man screaming about finding his 12-year-old grandson dead in their Roy area home.

Investigators recognized the address because it was where Christian Brayton lived and responded to the 2500 block of 302nd Street Court South.

Jesse Brayton was found dead in the home he shared with his grandfather and uncle.

The grandfather said he last saw his son and grandson Saturday night.

“They got along and were playing video games the last he knew,” sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said. “We don’t know why he took a machete to the boy and killed him.”

Detectives found the gun in the car and the machete in the house.