PARKLAND, Wash. – Seattle police cordoned off a section of Seattle's Leschi neighborhood Sunday night, believing they had located the person of interest in the shooting deaths of four Lakewood, Wash. police officers.
Police cruisers surrounded streets in the neighborhood of 30th Avenue and Yesler Way in the search for Maurice Clemmons.
Clemmons has an extensive violent criminal history from Arkansas, including aggravated robbery and theft. He has also recently been arrested and charged in Pierce County for assault on a police officer and for rape of a child. Pierce County Sheriff's Office spokesman Ed Troyer said Clemmons is one of several people investigators would like to talk to and can't be called a suspect at this point.
The four officers were with the 100-member police department of Lakewood, which adjoins the unincorporated area of Parkland, where the shootings took place. They are Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39; Ronald Owens, 37; Tina Griswold, 40; and Greg Richards 42.
Suspect may be wounded
Earlier, Troyer said the suspect who killed four Lakewood police officers at a Parkland coffee shop may have been wounded by one of the officers.
Troyer told reporters at the scene that one of the officers struggled out the door and fired his gun at the attacker.
"There is evidence that a Lakewood Police officer fired off some shots, and we hope that he hit him," said Troyer. "If he's hit, that means that he's injured somewhere with a gunshot wound."
Troyer said the person may travel a distance and go to a hospital or medical center and claim that he accidentally shot himself.
The officers were in full uniform and wearing bulletproof vests, sitting in Forza coffee shop near 116th Street and Steele Street on the east side of McChord Air Force base at about 8:30 a.m.. They were preparing for their shift when the suspect walked in, went up to the counter as if to order coffee, then turned and opened fire.
Troyer called it an "ambush."
"They had marked police cars, marked uniforms, there were other people inside the facility, they weren't shot, wounded or hurt or even aimed at, just the police officers were," said Troyer.
It wasn't clear whether the officers even had time to draw their weapons to return fire, Troyer said.
"This was more of an execution. Walk in with the specific mindset to shoot police officers," Troyer said.
With no known suspects, there was no indication of any connection with the Halloween night shooting of Seattle police officer Timothy Brenton. The suspect in that shooting remains hospitalized.
"We have no motive at all," Troyer said. "I don't think when we find out what it is, it will be anything that makes any sense or be worth it."
Two employees and a few other customers were in the shop during the attack. All are being interviewed by the Pierce County Sheriff's investigators.
"Some are in shock. They are very upset," Troyer said. "They are the ones who are going to put together for us how this happened."
The Forza Coffee Shop, part of a popular local chain, is in a small retail center alongside two restaurants, a cigar store and a nail salon.
Forza Coffee issued a press release, saying their "prayers go out to the family and friends of these officers in the face of this horrific tragedy."
"The cold-blooded ambush that took place at the Steele Street Forza Coffee House in Parkland," the release said.
Forza said a donation area will be established at each coffee house.
"It is Forza's goal to help the families of those who lost their lives during this difficult holiday season, and into the new year as they struggle to reconstruct their lives in the year ahead," said Rich Jennings, Forza owner.
Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor said "this is an example of the danger that police officers and deputy sheriffs and state troopers face every day."
"The person or people who did this not only harmed us they harmed the good that we can do in the community. They harmed the good that we work to do every day in the community," he said.
"We've lost people that we care about, we've lost people I'm sure the good people in the community care about as well," said Pastor.
Troyer said there were several active scenes that officers were working. A white pick-up truck was impounded from a parking lot at one scene and a person was taken into custody at another.
He said they are looking to see if there is any surveillance cameras that may have caught the suspect on video.
A $120,000 reward is being offered for information. Tiplines - for tips only - are (253) 591-5959 or 866-977-2362.
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said she was "shocked and horrified" by the killings.
"Our police put their lives on the line every day, and tragedies like this remind us of the risks they continually take to keep our communities safe," she said in a written statement. "My heart goes out to the family, friends and co-workers of these officers, as well as the entire law enforcement community."
The President of the Lakewood Police Independent Guild, Brian D. Wurts, issued a statement, calling the murders a "cold blooded assassination."
"As I write this I am numb. We were dealt a nasty blow, good men and women I have had the honor of knowing for years are senselessly gone. There is no way to comprehend it, to validate it, or to make sense of any of it. You cannot understand evil like this, as a community we must form a solid bond against criminals and hold them accountable. I know my members and can say with certainty that as a group we will remain professional and will continue to work to protect those of you we have taken an oath to protect. If you know a cop tell them how much you appreciate them, it truly keeps us going. Please pray for these officers and their families. All of them had significant others and children who are left behind," he said.
Wurts said a benevolent account has been established for the families of the officers.
Send donations to LPIG Benevolent Fund at PO Box 99579 Lakewood, WA 98499.
"I will personally make sure it goes where it is intended. May God bless you four who are in a place so much better than this; you are some of the finest professionals I have ever known. God bless our community today," Wurtz said.
Editor's note: During the coverage of this developing story, the Pierce County Sheriff's Department has alleged that its investigation into the shootings was hampered by KING TV's news helicopter, which was flying over the area. KING TV maintains that its aircraft was operating in compliance with FAA flight rules at the time and that the aircraft was moved from the area.
