Zoya Shablykin was granted a one-year protective order against her son Aleksandr Shablykin in May 2025, according to court records obtained by PEOPLE
Credit: AP Photo/John Froschauer
NEED TO KNOW
- Four people were stabbed and killed outside of a Washington home on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The suspect was fatally shot by police
- Aleksandr Shablykin has been identified as the suspect, and his mother as Zoya Shablykin, local news station KING 5 reported, citing property and court records, family and neighbors
- In May 2025, Zoya was granted a one-year protective order against Aleksandr, alleging he was practicing “witchcraft” and “occult behavior” in her home
Months before a man allegedly stabbed four people to death at a Washington home, his mother was granted a one-year protective order against him, according to court records obtained by PEOPLE on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
The Pierce County Sheriff's Office previously confirmed that multiple people were stabbed by a male outside a home near Gig Harbor, Wash. Police had been called about a no-contact order violation around 8:41 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Feb. 24. However, officers learned that the order was invalid, as the individual had not been served yet. Police were en route to serve the individual when they received reports about a male stabbing people outside the home.
Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and the fourth, who was transported via ambulance, later succumbed to their injuries. Police shot and killed the suspect at the scene, the PCSO said.
The suspect has since been identified as Aleksandr Shablykin, local news station KING 5 reported, citing property and court records, family and neighbors. His mother, Zoya Shablykin, is also connected to the home.
In May 2025, Zoya was granted a one-year protective order against Aleksandr, per court documents. In her petition, also obtained by PEOPLE, she alleged her son "has been threatening me, abusing me both mentally and emotionally."
Zoya, who described herself as an "elderly disabled woman," also accused Aleksandr of "Doing witchcraft/occult behavior and doing rituals in my home." She further alleged he damaged her personal property and injured her cat.
In one incident, Zoya claims that she returned to the home one day in April 2025 to a "very strange" smell in her home, her smoke detector going off, and her cat missing. She alleged that there was "evidence of occult rituals," and that her son was "acting delusional."
The protective order alleged Aleksandr threatened Zoya, who claims she told her "that her grave as already been dug."
Following the implementation of the protective order, Aleksandr was barred from purchasing, possessing, or owning any dangerous weapons and required to participate in a mental health treatment plan. He also had to stay at least 1,000 feet away from Zoya, her home, her vehicle and her workplace.
“It was still extremely shocking you know … because it’s a son and a mother,” a neighbor told KING 5. They noted that they were home when the incident occurred on Tuesday.
“I just can’t believe it happened because it’s something I’ve always bragged about is how small and quaint and safe my neighborhood is," the neighbor said.
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If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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