Prosecutors have charged a 42-year-old man for the murder of a woman after his arrest in rural Buckley.

University Place resident Duane Dushon Moore was charged with murder in the first degree for the Dec. 9 shooting death of 40-year-old Kayla Vallee, a Bonney Lake woman. A previous Courier-Herald report was incorrect about her city of residence.

The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office identified Vallee’s death as a homicide resulting from multiple gunshot wounds.

Moore pleaded not guilty to charges at his arraignment hearing in Pierce County Superior Court on Dec. 15.

According to prosecutorial documents, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered Vallee deceased at Moore’s apartment whilst conducting a welfare check after Moore “unexpectedly” left the child shared between himself and Vallee in the driveway at Vallee’s parents home.

Vallee had previously agreed to meet Moore earlier in the day at his apartment to discuss custody issues regarding their nine-year-old son, according to prosecutorial documents.

According to documents, Vallee sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her head and neck. Deputies also found a .45 caliber handgun with a live round in the chamber sitting inside of a shoe on a shoe rack and two spent shells.

As deputies investigated, they were informed Moore’s vehicle had been called in as a suspicious vehicle in the Buckley area.

Deputies arrived to find Moore had driven his vehicle into the treeline, according to documents.

Moore exited the vehicle after about an hour standoff, which included law enforcement breaking out the windows of his vehicle using less-lethal munitions.

Deputies arrested Moore after tasing and striking him with less-lethal rounds after deputies said he “tried to run or charge at them.”

First responders detained and transported Moore to a hospital where he stayed until he was booked on Dec. 14

Moore will face a jury trial scheduled for Feb. 4, 2024.

Moore’s next court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 3, 2024.