Four people died in a tragic stabbing incident in Gig Harbor, Washington, on Feb. 24, with new revelations revealing a horrific history of abuse and threats against his own mother by suspect Alexander Shabalikin.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a stabbing outside a residence near Gig Harbor, where three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and a fourth victim later died after being taken to the hospital. Authorities identified the suspect as 25-year-old Alexander Shabalikin, who was shot by police after a shootout at the scene.
Court records showed that Shablykin’s mother, Zoya Shablykin, had been granted a one-year protective order against her son just months before the fatal incident. In May 2025, Zoya applied for the restraining order, citing threats, mental and emotional abuse and harassing behaviour, including claims that Alexander was involved in secret rituals in her home. Zoya, described as an elderly, disabled woman, said she returned to her home in April 2025 to find a “strange smell”, a smoke detector going off, and her cat missing. He also alleged that there was evidence of secret rituals being performed in the house and that Alexander had acted “delusional”.
In her petition, Zoya described feeling threatened by her son, who allegedly told her that her grave had “already been dug.” As part of the protective order, Alexander was banned from possessing weapons and was ordered to stay at least 1,000 feet away from Zoe, her home, and her workplace. He also had to undergo a mental health treatment plan.
Neighbors of the Shabalikin family expressed shock and disbelief at the violent incidents. A neighbor described the close-knit and peaceful nature of the neighborhood as making the incident all the more unsettling. “It was still extremely shocking … because it’s a son and a mother,” the neighbor said.
Authorities have not yet revealed the exact motive behind the stabbing, but the situation paints a sad picture of domestic unrest and increasing violence. Zoya Shabalikin’s decision to take legal action against her son in the form of a protective order is a reminder of the difficult decisions some parents face when their children exhibit dangerous behavior.
As the investigation into this horrific incident continues, the community is shaken, and questions arise about what could have been done to prevent the violence. Officials are urging anyone experiencing domestic violence or struggling with mental health issues to seek help through available resources such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline and mental health services.