Tacoma, Washington – A Tacoma woman faces multiple felony charges after allegedly sending dozens of threatening emails and messages to city employees, healthcare workers, and others, including explicit references to an AK-47 rifle, prompting a lockdown of Tacoma City Hall and a SWAT team response at her residence, according to police reports and court records.
Kimberly Ann Ellefson, 63, has been charged with four counts of unlawful exploitation through threats of violence and one count of obstructing a law enforcement officer.
The charges stem from emails, social media posts, and 911 calls made on January 6, 2024, as detailed in court filings.
Tacoma police were alerted after a city human resources director reported receiving a large volume of threatening emails from Ellefson. The director was tasked with investigating Ellefson’s complaints against city staff and had sent her a copy of a completed report.
Following receipt of the report, Ellefson allegedly sent approximately 30 emails over a short period.
Police reports indicate the messages quickly escalated, containing abusive language and direct threats of violence.
One email cited in the police report read: “I’m tired of this, you lying, rotten piece of garbage. I have an AK47 and I’m going to come and kill you, you lying, rotten woman.”
A separate email sent that morning stated: “It would be fair if you were killed, and I would kill you. I have an AK47. I will kill you.”
Police say Ellefson subsequently sent a message to a large group of recipients, further escalating the threats, stating: “I’m going to kill all of you, you lying pieces of garbage… I have an ak47 and I’m going to kill all of you.”
This final email was also sent to this news outlet.
City employees reported to police that they felt “extremely threatened and unsafe” and did not feel secure due to the volume, tone, and escalation of the messages.
Police also reviewed Ellefson’s public Facebook account and found a post published approximately 30 minutes before she contacted officers.
The post reportedly read: “I’m going to Tacoma City Hall WA and I’m going to kill everyone in that building. I have an AK-47.”
The post also included threats against Sea Mar Community Health Centers.
Due to these threats, Tacoma officials placed the Tacoma Municipal Building at 733 Market Street under lockdown while officers secured the facility and assessed the risk to employees and the public.
Police stated this response reflected a credible threat to safety.
In statements to police, city employees further reported that Ellefson was a former member of the City of Tacoma Human Services Board, whose term typically ended in September.
The employee informed investigators that Ellefson had publicly discussed past difficulties related to substance abuse and mental illness, as well as the death of her son from a drug overdose.
The employee stated that Ellefson’s mental state appeared “significantly diminished” since those events and that Ellefson had also lost health insurance coverage, which the employee said contributed to her overall instability.
Police also documented a series of separate threats sent to employees at Sea Mar Community Health Centers, where Ellefson previously worked.
According to investigators, Sea Mar directors reported receiving escalating harassing emails that culminated in direct threats of violence on January 6.
One director reported receiving an email stating: “If you plan to kill me, I will kill you.”
A different employee informed police that an email read: “I have an AK47 and I’m coming after you. I will kill you.”
The directors said they became increasingly concerned about employee safety and began implementing preventative measures at the facility, according to police reports.
Later that day, Tacoma police responded to Ellefson’s residence following a series of 911 calls.
Police reported that Ellefson informed the dispatcher that she possessed multiple firearms, including a handgun and an AK-47, and warned that she would initiate shootings if police did not respond.
According to the arrest report, Ellefson stated she wanted police to “come kill me now” or she would go to Tacoma City Hall and kill people.
Officers established a perimeter and utilized a public address system for over 50 minutes, repeatedly identifying themselves and requesting her to exit without weapons.
Due to the nature of the threats, Tacoma police called in the SWAT team.
Ellefson told police she possessed five firearms, one sword, that she “would hurt anyone,” and that she knew how to use the weapons.
After negotiations, Ellefson surrendered and was taken into custody without injury, police said.
A search warrant was executed at Ellefson’s residence, but the report indicated no weapons were found.
Court records show a judge found probable cause to charge and order Ellefson held without bail.
The court also ordered a competency evaluation to determine if she understands the proceedings and can assist in her defense.
A court hearing is expected later this month.
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