Joshua Puloka : Joshua Puloka convicted of triple murder in US bar shooting

By fox13seattle.com

Last week, a jury rendered a unanimous verdict, convicting Joshua “Everybodytalksabout” Puloka on all counts in the triple murder case that shook Des Moines in 2021. The conviction, brought forth by King County Prosecutors, marks the conclusion of a case that gripped the community, providing some sense of closure to the families of the victims.

The jury found Puloka guilty of eight counts, including one count of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, three counts of first-degree manslaughter, and one count each of first- and second-degree assault.

King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion stated, “Justice was done in this case – justice for Antoine Matthews, Angelia Hylton, and Ezra Taylor who were murdered, justice for the two additional surviving gunshot victims, justice for their families, and justice for our entire King County Community.”

Previous Encounters with the Law

Puloka, facing his third strike, now faces the possibility of life in prison without parole. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 21.

Tragic Incident

Puloka’s conviction stems from a tragic incident that unfolded outside La Familia Sports Pub in Des Moines on September 26, 2021. The shooting resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to three others.

Court documents identified Puloka as the perpetrator who indiscriminately fired shots into a crowded parking lot, fatally striking Matthews, Hylton, and Taylor. The incident unfolded amidst a chaotic scene captured on surveillance footage, where a fight erupted, leading to the fatal shots.

A second suspect, Demarcus Simmons, engaged in physical altercations before the shooting. Puloka, standing nearby, joined the altercation, leading to the deadly gunfire.

Community in Mourning

The aftermath of the shooting left a community in mourning and families shattered.

Selena Taylor, speaking to FOX 13 Seattle in 2021, expressed her grief, “He always would tell me, ‘mom, your heart is my heart, and my heart is your heart.’ I miss my heart, and sometimes it’s hard for me to breathe because I want my heart back.”

Selena shared that her son, 26-year-old Ezra Taylor, was one of the victims. Ezra, an actor who had recently completed his first film, was described as sweet, humble, quiet, and caring.

“He would want to see everyone succeed. He would want everybody to be well. He would give his last shirt to anybody,” Selena reminisced.