Gig Harbor Tragedy: Zoya Shablykin, 52, Killed by Son in Deadly Stabbing Spree Along Cul-de-Sac

 The quiet cul-de-sac of Gig Harbor, Washington, became the scene of an unimaginable tragedy on Tuesday, as 52-year-old Zoya Shablykin and three of her neighbors were fatally stabbed by her 32-year-old son, Aleksandr Aleksand Shablykin. Authorities say the attack unfolded outside Zoya’s home on 87th Avenue Court NW in Pierce County, with neighbors attempting to intervene and protect the mother. All four victims were killed before responding officers shot and killed Aleksandr at the scene.

Zoya had previously sought protection from her son, filing an order of protection in April 2025. In her petition, she described years of escalating threats, delusional behavior, and violent incidents in the home, including acts she described as occult rituals. Court records noted Aleksandr believed himself to be an Egyptian god and had engaged in destructive behavior, such as damaging property and harming the family cat. Despite the filing, the order had not yet been served, leaving Zoya without legal protection at the time of the attack.

Neighbors and family members described the scene as surreal and horrifying. A family friend stated, “Alex killed four people today—his mother Zoya and three neighbors who tried to help her. Then the cops rolled in as he was killing the third one and they shot and killed him.” Witnesses say police arrived around 9:33 a.m., minutes after a 911 call, but were unable to prevent the fatalities. Residents of the normally peaceful neighborhood expressed shock, mourning the loss of multiple lives and struggling to process the violence in their community.

Aleksandr’s history revealed ongoing mental health struggles. Records indicated past schizophrenia diagnoses, command hallucinations, and grandiose delusions, with multiple prior arrests for nonviolent offenses, including driving without a license and trespassing. Authorities noted that his mental state had worsened in recent years, contributing to the escalating threat toward his mother and others. Friends and family described him as unpredictable, with sporadic residency at the family home in recent years, which intensified tensions in the household.

Zoya’s daughter, Anastasia, 30, and her 11-year-old child are now grieving the loss of both her mother and the violent disruption of her family. Community members have rallied around the surviving family, emphasizing the profound shock and heartbreak brought by this incident. Local authorities have appealed for privacy for the family while the investigation continues.

The Pierce County Force Investigation Team and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office have taken over the investigation, reviewing the circumstances that led to the deadly stabbing spree. Officials are examining gaps in mental health intervention, protective orders, and law enforcement response, seeking answers to prevent similar tragedies. The deaths of Zoya Shablykin and her neighbors leave a lasting impact on the Gig Harbor community, underscoring the intersection of mental health crises and domestic violence, and the urgent need for effective protections for vulnerable individuals.