A shocking incident in Tacoma has raised serious concerns about public safety after a local woman was accused of sending violent threats to city officials, healthcare workers and others. The situation escalated so quickly that it led to the lockdown of Tacoma City Hall and a SWAT operation at her home. Police say the threats were detailed, repeated and referenced weapons, creating what they described as a credible risk to the community.
Who is Kimberly Ann Ellefson and What Are the Charges
Kimberly Ann Ellefson, 63, a resident of Tacoma, is now facing multiple felony charges. Prosecutors have charged her with:
- Four counts of felony harassment for threats to kill
- One count of obstructing a law enforcement officer
According to court records, the alleged incidents happened on January 6, 2026. Authorities say the threats were made through emails, social media posts and multiple 911 calls. A judge has already found probable cause in the case and has ordered that Ellefson be held without bail.
How the Threats Began
Police were first alerted when an assistant human resources director for the City of Tacoma reported receiving a sudden wave of threatening emails. The employee had been assigned to investigate complaints that Ellefson had made against city staff and had recently emailed her the final report.
After receiving the report, Ellefson allegedly sent around 30 emails within a short time. Officers say the tone of the messages quickly became aggressive, filled with profanity and direct threats. Some messages included references to an AK-47 and statements about killing city employees.
The employee later told police she felt extremely unsafe due to the number of messages and how intense they became over such a short period.
Social Media Posts and Wider Threats
Police also reviewed Ellefson’s public Facebook account. They found a post made about 30 minutes before officers were contacted that included a threat to go to Tacoma City Hall and harm people inside the building. The post also reportedly mentioned threats toward Sea Mar Adult Treatment Center.
Because of these online threats, Tacoma officials decided to place the Tacoma Municipal Building into lockdown. Officers secured the building while they assessed the level of danger to staff and the public. Police later confirmed that the response was based on what they considered a real and serious safety threat.
Threats Toward Sea Mar Treatment Center
Investigators also documented that staff at Sea Mar Treatment Center, where Ellefson previously worked, had been receiving harassing emails for months. On January 6, those messages reportedly escalated into direct threats to kill. Managers at the facility told police they had already started taking extra safety precautions because of growing concern for their staff.
This pattern of behaviour across multiple organisations played a key role in strengthening the case against her.
SWAT Response and Arrest at Her Home
Later the same day, Tacoma police responded to Ellefson’s home after she made a series of 911 calls. According to arrest reports, she told dispatchers she was armed with multiple weapons and warned that she would carry out shootings if police did not respond. Officers said she also told them she wanted police to kill her, otherwise she would go to City Hall and hurt people.
Police set up a perimeter around the home and used a public address system for nearly an hour, repeatedly asking her to come out unarmed. Due to the seriousness of the threats, a SWAT team was called in.
After negotiations, Ellefson eventually surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody without anyone being hurt. Police later executed a search warrant at the home but reported that they did not find any firearms inside.
Mental Health Concerns and Court Developments
During the investigation, a city employee shared background information with police, saying Ellefson had previously served as a Human Services Commissioner for the city. The employee also said Ellefson had spoken openly about struggles with addiction, mental health issues and the tragic loss of her son to a drug overdose.
According to reports, her mental health appeared to have declined in recent times, and she had also lost health care coverage. These details have led the court to order a competency evaluation to determine whether she can understand the legal proceedings and assist in her own defence.
A future court hearing is scheduled for later this month.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan 6, 2026 | Alleged threatening emails, posts and 911 calls made |
| Same day | Tacoma City Hall placed on lockdown |
| Same day | SWAT responds to Ellefson’s home |
| After arrest | Search conducted, no firearms found |
| Court ruling | Held without bail, competency evaluation ordered |
